Boating

Our ferryboats operate between 27 March and 31 October. Access to the island is on foot, via the causeway when the island is open during the winter months. Please see the opening dates and times here.

St Michael’s Mount is a tidal island connected to the mainland by an ancient causeway, a raised cobbled walkway on the sea bed. When the tide is high and water covers the causeway, you can also cross over by boat.

Getting to St Michael’s Mount by boat is a truly memorable experience. If you'd like to experience it for yourself, book a ticket for the castle or garden when the causeway is closed and the boats are operating. Our booking system will also prompt you when a boat ticket is required. All boat tickets are single, one-way tickets and can be used to travel to or from the Mount. You can’t travel by boat when the causeway is open.

Boat crossings take approximately ten minutes and you must arrive at the boat landing 30 minutes before your timed ticket to the castle and/or garden.

National Trust Members are required to pay the boat fare if required on your day/time of booking whilst completing your order online.

How to find our boats

Our boats will depart and return to one of two landing points on the mainland depending on the height of the tide – Chapel Rock and Top Tieb (see map). You can buy return boat tickets on the island. You will be directed to your boat landing by our guides on the day.

Approximate walking times to the landings from the main visitor/overflow car parks:

• Chapel Rock - the little rock on the beach, opposite the Mount - allow at least 5-10 minutes
• Gwelva - undergoing rennovation work, but in use for summer 2023, turn right by Out of the Blue gallery - allow at least 10 minutes
• Top Tieb - go through the town, turn right just before the Copper Spoon and head down Leys Lane, following the Green signs - allow at least 15-20 minutes

Please take these times into account when paying for parking.

Boat fares

One way boat fare:

• Adults (including National Trust members): £2.80.  
• Under 18s: £1.50.
• Under 1s: Free. 

Forgot your boat ticket?

You must book a boat ticket(s) in advance with your castle ticket, if it is required. If you've already booked your ticket to visit the island, but forgot to book a boat ticket, you can still book online now. 

Returning to the mainland by boat

To paddle or not to paddle? That is the question.  If you don't fancy getting your feet wet, or you don't want to wait for the causeway to open, hop on a boat!

Return boat tickets are purchased on the day of your visit on the island, either on a smartphone or in one of our retail outlets, so there's no need to book these return tickets in advance.

• Adults (including National Trust members): £2.80.  
• Under 18s: £1.50.
• Under 1s: Free.