Hire an Electric Cart on St Mary’s
Looking to hire an electric cart on St Mary’s? Our road-legal electric carts are the perfect companion for your St. Mary’s adventures.
Easy to drive, comfortable and safe, they are an entertaining way to get around the island, whether you are visiting for the day or staying longer.
Our carts are collected from our base on Porthmellon and available for full day hires on St. Mary’s.
Our carts
We offer a fleet of well-maintained, road legal carts to accommodate different group sizes. All our carts are third-party insured and fitted with seatbelts and a roof.
Please note that passenger numbers must not exceed the insured capacity of the cart.
2 seater
Ideal for solo explorers or couples, they seat up to 2 passengers.
A basket behind the seat can hold a camera bag or rucksack and two cubby holes in the dashboard can hold small items.
4 seater
Perfect for families or small groups, they seat up to 4 passengers.
A large cubby hole at the back of the cart can hold day backpacks and two small cubby holes in the dashboard can hold small items.
6 seater
Best for larger families or groups travelling together, they seat up to 6 passengers.
A large cubby hole at the back of the cart can hold day backpacks and two small cubby holes in the dashboard can hold small items.
Prices & Hire Period
Our standard hire period runs everyday from beginning of March to end of October, from 9am to 5:30pm, with the exception of the World Pilot Gig Championships weekend, where we are closed for safety reasons.
We offer full day hires only and multi-day rates are available for bookings over 3 consecutive days.
Prices include VAT and third-party insurance for named drivers. Payment is made at the time of collection and we accept card payments only.
How it works
1. Book your cart
Choose the perfect cart for you and book through our website.
While you are booking, we will ask some of your trip details to ensure we are ready for you when you get to us.
We strongly recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season to guarantee availability. Walk-in hires are possible but not guaranteed.
2. Collect from Porthmellon
Pick-up your cart at our Porthmellon base, a roughly 15-minute walk from the quay.
Carts are to be collected between 9am and 10:30am, unless pre-arranged.
Once the paperwork is signed, we give you instructions, show you how the cart works, and run you through a map of the island.
3. Enjoy your day!
You are free to use and park the cart for as long as you want during the hire period.
Please note that our carts are to be used on tarmac roads only, and are prohibited down the quay, on bridal paths, tracks and footpaths, or any beach.
The use of our carts is subject to all UK road laws.
4. Return the cart
Carts must be returned by 5:30pm on the final day of hire. No refunds are given for early returns.
For multiday hires, carts must be parked off the main highway overnight, plugged in and charged every evening (even if used briefly) while ensuring charging cables are not crossing a public footpath or pavement.
If you are staying in an accommodation without suitable off-road parking, the cart must be returned to us each evening for charging.
Who can drive & ride
Drivers
- Must be aged between 21-80 years. Our insurance doesn’t cover drivers outside of this range.
- Must have a full UK driving licence (held for at least 1 year). Our insurance doesn’t cover any other licence.
- Additional drivers are welcome but must be named on the hire agreement. Primary drivers accept responsibility for all named drivers and cart.
Passengers
- No age limit for passengers
- Children are welcome: booster seats and car seats are available on request
- Well behaved dogs are welcome and must be restrained so they do not interfere with driving
Where you can drive
Our carts are for use on tarmac roads only. They can’t be driven on beaches, tracks, footpaths, farmland or along the quay. The map alongside shows clearly where carts can be used and where it’s best to park around the island. When you collect your cart, we’ll also talk you through it and answer any questions.
Some accommodation is accessed via rough or restricted tracks and isn’t suitable for our carts. This includes areas such as the Garrison, McFarland’s Down and Watermill. If you’re unsure whether a cart can be used near where you’re staying, please get in touch with us before booking.
For multi-day hires, carts must be parked off the main highway overnight and plugged in to charge every evening, even if they’ve only been used briefly. Charging cables must not cross any public footpath or pavement. If your accommodation doesn’t offer suitable off-road parking, the cart will need to be returned to us each evening for charging. We recommend checking parking arrangements with your accommodation before booking.
More facts about the carts
Battery charge
All carts are supplied fully charged, and a recharge takes 4-5 hours from a three pin plug on a domestic socket.
For multi-day hires, carts must be plugged in every evening, either at your accommodation if it can be parked off-road (no cables over public paths or pavements) or left overnight at our Porthmellon base.
Battery range
Batteries last 20-25 miles, 3 times around the island or 1.5 to 2 hours of continuous run time (depending on load and driving style).
The carts are equipped with a battery indicator so you can track your usage.
Considering the island's size, the batteries last well within the range of an average day on St. Mary's.
On the carts
Carts have lights for reduced light conditions and night driving, and are GPS-tracked for safety and security. All our carts are fitted with mandatory seatbelts and a roof.
In the unlikely event of a breakdown or puncture, contact us and we will come and get you.
Rules
Our carts are subject to UK road laws and are to be driven on tarmac roads only. It is prohibited to drive on beaches, tracks, footpaths, farmland or the quay. We reserve the right to refuse or cancel a hire if eligibility requirements are not met or a driver appears unfit to drive. Failure to follow the rules and regulations may result in the hire being cancelled without refund. Please see our Terms & Conditions for more details.
