Cruise port Foula (Shetland Islands)
Live-Info for port Foula (Shetland Islands)
Port information & tips for Foula (Shetland Islands)
Foula is the most remote jewel of the Shetland Islands and impresses as a fascinating "Island at the Edge of the World" with its untouched, rugged nature. The atmosphere is characterized by majestic cliffs, a deep-rooted Nordic history, and an incomparable silence that immediately captivates travelers. Absolute highlights include the spectacular Da Gaada rock arch, the massive sea cliffs of Da Kame, as well as the world's largest colonies of great skuas and puffins. Cruise ships anchor in the picturesque bay and guests can easily reach the small pier of Ham Voe by tender boat. This is located directly in the settlement of Ham, allowing the archaic island world and its hiking trails to be explored directly on foot thanks to short distances.
Traveling to the remote cruise port of Foula in the Shetland Islands is a special experience, as the island itself offers no direct international connections. Foula is primarily a tender port for smaller expedition cruises. Accessibility is via the Scottish mainland and then via the main island of the Shetlands.
Airplane
For guests from the DACH region, the journey first leads via a direct flight to a major British airport, such as London, Edinburgh (EDI) or Glasgow (GLA). From there, there are convenient connecting flights to Sumburgh Airport (LSI) on the Shetland main island, which is located around 56 kilometers from the coastal region from which the connections to Foula depart. Loganair offers regular connections from Scottish cities to Sumburgh, with a flight from Aberdeen (ABZ) taking about 1 hour and 5 minutes. Alternatively, inter-island flights from Tingwall Airport (LWK) near Lerwick can be used to reach Foula.
Local Connection to Foula
Onward travel to Foula from the Shetland main island is possible by ferry or island flight. A passenger ferry, the "New Advance", operates several times a week from the village of Walls on Mainland Shetland to Foula, with a crossing of about 2 hours and 15 minutes. A booking is absolutely necessary, and the ferry does not transport vehicles. In addition, Airtask offers scheduled flights from Tingwall Airport (LWK) to Foula Airfield (FOA). This 15-minute flight often even allows for a day trip and offers breathtaking views at the same time. However, local connections are highly weather-dependent. On Foula itself, there is no public transportation; however, transfers to and from the landing point can be organized by arrangement with locals.
Pre-Cruise Stay in the Shetland Islands
Due to Foula's remote location and the heavy weather dependence of local transport, a pre-cruise stay of at least one night on the Shetland main island is strongly recommended. This creates a valuable buffer for possible delays and allows for a relaxed start to your cruise. The town of Lerwick offers charming hotels and restaurants for this purpose. On Foula itself, accommodation options are very limited and restricted to self-catering units; furthermore, there are no shopping facilities.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will usually receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for the journey to the port accordingly and take into account that the latest embarkation time - depending on the shipping company and destination area - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The following also applies during the voyage: for shore excursions, you should be back on board no later than one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements and the notices on board, as mooring and departure times can change at short notice.
