Location: A mile off the coast at Looe, South East Cornwall (Cornwall Wildlife Trust nature reserve)
Distance from West Kellow Yurts: 10 minutes by road to Looe harbour, then a 20-minute boat ride
Best time to visit: Approximately Easter to end of September (weather and tide permitting)
If you've stood on Looe seafront and looked out across the bay, you'll have seen Looe Island, a small green hump in the water about a mile offshore. Officially called St George's Island, but always Looe Island to anyone local, it's a 22-acre marine nature reserve owned and run by Cornwall Wildlife Trust. Visiting it is one of the most special things you can do during a stay near Looe, and it's right on your doorstep at West Kellow Yurts.
What to expect
Looe Island is a working nature reserve, not a tourist attraction dressed up to look like one. The wardens, Jon and Claire, live on the island year round and look after it on behalf of the Trust. When you arrive by boat, you're met on the beach, given a brief introduction, and then handed a self-guided trail leaflet. You've got around two hours to wander before the boat takes you back.
What you'll see depends on the time of year, but the regulars are grey seals (often hauled out on the rocks at the south end of the island), oystercatchers, cormorants, shags, and Cornwall's largest breeding colony of great black-backed gulls. There's a small flock of Shetland sheep working as natural lawnmowers, helping the island maintain a mosaic of grassland, scrub and wildflower meadow. You'll spot speckled wood, meadow brown and red admiral butterflies in summer, with the occasional silver-washed fritillary or hummingbird hawkmoth if you're lucky.
The path takes you through sycamore woodland (planted as windbreaks), past the ruins of a medieval Benedictine chapel, and around to a beach on the far side where, on a calm day, the water is clear enough to see down through. The whole island is around 22 acres, so it's a comfortable afternoon's exploring rather than a hike.
Getting there from West Kellow
It's around 10 minutes by road from West Kellow Yurts down into Looe. Park at the main quayside car park or one of the harbour-side options, then make your way to the floating pontoon near the RNLI lifeboat station slipway in East Looe. The boat operator, Looe Sea Safari, has an office on the quay if you need to confirm anything before sailing.
The crossing takes around 20 minutes each way. Boats can only run two to three hours either side of high tide, in fair weather, so booking ahead is essential and trips can be cancelled at short notice if conditions change.
Practical info
Boat numbers are limited to around 11 passengers per crossing, so book well in advance through Looe Sea Safari, especially in school holidays. There's a return boat fee plus a separate landing fee paid to the warden on the island (current prices are on the Cornwall Wildlife Trust website).
Is Looe Island dog-friendly? No. Because it's a nature reserve, dogs are not allowed.
Is Looe Island accessible? Boarding the boat involves climbing over the side onto a small landing trolley, and the path up from the beach has a slope. Some sections of the island paths are uneven and steep. If accessibility is a concern, contact the warden in advance.
There are compost toilets on the island. Bring a packed lunch and a drink (no refreshments for sale) and warm, waterproof layers (Cornish weather is changeable, even in August).
While you're there
Combine your trip with a wander around Looe itself, fish and chips on the harbour, or pair it with a walk along the Looe to Polperro coast path if the weather holds. If you're spending more of the week on doorstep walks, Kilminorth Woods is the obvious next one.
Find out more: https://www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/explore/visit-looe-island
