I

f you can’t afford an overwater villa in the Maldives, the sub-tropical DNA of the Scilly Isles come a good second – with no jetlag guaranteed.

A splatter of around 150 low lying islands, they’re caressed by the Gulf Stream, spawning palm trees, cacti and aloe to go with the eye-popping azure water.

One of the most romantic ways to spend a balmy summer’s evening is to take an evening boat trip. Scilly Boating offers a range of intimate voyages from the main island of St Mary’s. From May until mid September you can take the St. Agnes evening service at 6pm giving you plenty of time for a stroll on St Agnes and a tasty meal or drink at the Turks Head pub.

The Shearwater Special on Monday and Thursdays evenings from early May to late August visits Annet bird sanctuary to view the breeding seabirds including puffins and then on to look for the elusive Manx Shearwaters. By day these birds are usually far out at sea but in the evenings they collect together on the water off Annet.

This evening assembly is a memorable experience along with expert commentary by renowned ornithologist Will Wagstaff. Another option is to catch some evening gig racing or take a trip to the uninhabited island of Samson for a picnic supper.