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  1. Top things to do on an IOW day trip
  2. Why choose Wightlink
  3. Day trips from London
  4. Seasonal inspiration
  5. Kids Go Free
  6. Insider tips for the perfect IOW day trip
  7. Getting to the Isle of Wight

Days out to remember

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  2. Things to do on the Isle of Wight

  3. Day trips on the Isle of Wight

Day trips on the Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight is an ideal day trip destination – it’s packed with picturesque places to explore and it’s surprisingly easy to get to.

There’s no shortage of things to do on the Island, with stunning scenery to take in, unique attractions to explore, and unforgettable events going on throughout the year. Oh, and beaches – you can’t miss the beaches!

All of this is only a ferry away – with us, you can be on the Island within 22 minutes using one of our three convenient routes linking Hampshire on the mainland with the IOW.

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Top things to do on an IOW day tripWhy choose WightlinkDay trips from LondonSeasonal inspirationKids Go FreeInsider tips for the perfect IOW day tripGetting to the Isle of Wight

Top things to do on an IOW day trip

Adventure, relaxation or a bit of both – you can squeeze a lot into just one day on the Isle of Wight.

Just 23 miles west to east and 13 miles north to south, it’s easy to navigate your way around the Island and there’s so much to see and do. Find out some of our favourite itinerary suggestions below.

Explore iconic landmarks

Uncover more landmarks

Beaches, baby!

The Island's best beaches

Fun family adventures

Family-friendly things to do
A group in shorts and t-shirts stand on Yarmouth Pier looking out towards the Wight Light Wightlink ferry

Why choose Wightlink

Get from the mainland to the Isle of Wight in as little as 22 minutes on a comfortable, convenient crossing.

We’ve been sailing the Solent for well over a century and we know that your getaway starts the moment you reach our ports and breathe in the sea air.

Pick up some locally-made food and drink from our Wight Taste café, let the kids loose on one of our on board play areas and take in some stunning Solent views from our sun decks.

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Day trips from London

Getting from London to the Isle of Wight is easier than you may think.

An hour-and-a-half train will get you from Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour, from where you’re on 22 minutes away from the Island on one of our high-speed FastCat ferries.

Travelling from London

Seasonal inspiration

The Isle of Wight is idyllic all year round, whether you visit under the blue sky of Summer or the orange of autumn. Find inspiration for whenever you choose to visit in our seasonal guides below.

A person in a red coat and hat throwing autumn leaves in the air in a forest of the Isle of Wight

Autumnal adventures

The Isle of Wight is a great place to visit in the autumn. The countryside transforms from green to reds, russets and golds and it’s the perfect time to enjoy the great outdoors.

So start planning your autumn break itinerary with our handy guide on the top things to do…

Read our guide to Isle of Wight experiences in the autumn

Read our guide to Isle of Wight experiences in the autumn
A couple walking in the Isle of Wight countryside in spring time

Spring breaks

Getting away in the springtime can really lift your spirits. The Isle of Wight is bursting with life at this time of year and can make a great countryside escape.

Take a look at our top things to do on the Island this spring…

Read our blog full of spring break ideas

Read our blog full of spring break ideas
A family walking across a sandy beach with the sun and a pier in the background, Isle of Wight

Family summer escapes

Make family memories to last a lifetime on the Isle of Wight this summer.

With attractions galore, long sandy beaches, dinosaur fossils and the best ice cream EVER, your children will thank you for years to come.

Read our guide to the top summer family experiences on the Island

Read our guide to the top summer family experiences on the Island

Kids Go Free

With kids travelling for free as foot passengers over every school holiday, you can say goodbye to staying in and getting bored, and hello to excitement and adventure.

Save on family day trips

Insider tips for the perfect IOW day trip

With just one day on the Isle of Wight, you need to know how to make the most of it.

As seasoned pros at visiting the Island – we do it more than 140 times a day! – we’ve picked out three big tips for you to consider for your trip.

Leave early

Book an early morning ferry and you’ll get more time on the Isle of Wight. If you’re bringing your car along with you, you’ll often find early sailings are a little cheaper, too, so it’s well worth being the early bird!

Packing essentials

It goes without saying that what you choose to pack will be dependent on the time of year you visit. If you’re coming along in the summer, a heads up that it’s one of the sunniest destinations in the UK, so bring your factor 50!

Walking boots are also a great idea if you’re tackling some of the Diamond Isle’s stunning coastal hiking routes.

Hidden gems to explore

We’ve already given you the downlow on some of the must-see attractions and landmarks across the Isle of Wight.

But if you’re looking for a day trip that’s a little more unique, or off-the-beaten track, we’ve got three ideas:

Getting to the Isle of Wight

Pick from our three convenient routes linking Hampshire on the mainland to the Isle of Wight.

Take your vehicle with you and travel from Portsmouth to Fishbourne or Lymington, in the New Forest, to Yarmouth.

Or, if you’re travelling on foot, you can also pick our FastCat service which travels from Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde – a popular seaside destination on the Island.

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Victoria of Wight Isle of Wight ferry in the Solent, side on brandishing her 'hybrid energy' message