Foula Island, Shetland, Scotland
Edge of the world, edge of the Atlantic. Foula is a 3-mile scrap of rock supporting 30 people, half a million seabirds, and some of Britain's most vertiginous cliffs — reached only by tender, weather permitting.
Edge of the world, edge of the Atlantic. Foula is a 3-mile scrap of rock supporting 30 people, half a million seabirds, and some of Britain's most vertiginous cliffs — reached only by tender, weather permitting.
All cruise visitors arrive by tender or Zodiac — there is no quay capable of docking any size of ship.
💡 Pro move: Landing is sometimes cancelled by the captain even after arrival in the anchorage. Always treat Foula as a 'bonus' port and have a sea-day mindset.
Foula has a tiny working pier at Ham Voe used by the inter-island ferry — not a cruise terminal.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Expedition lines (PONANT, Hurtigruten, Silversea, Noble Caledonia) | Ham Voe pier, east side of island📍 | Tendered |
| All other cruise ships | Offshore anchorage, Zodiac transfer📍 | Tendered |
Foula has no commercial tour operators on the island — your ship's naturalist guide or a local islander arranged by the cruise line is your best resource.
The island's crown jewel: a 1,220-foot sheer sandstone wall dropping straight into the Atlantic. The hike from Ham Voe is roughly 2.5 miles each way over boggy upland — strenuous but extraordinary. Stay well back from the unfenced edge.
Find Shetland hiking tours →Foula hosts one of the world's largest Great Skua (bonxie) colonies alongside thousands of nesting puffins, guillemots, kittiwakes, and razorbills. The cliffs on the south and west sides are the prime seabird areas. Bring binoculars and a stick to hold above your head to deter diving bonxies.
Find birdwatching tours Shetland →The island's tiny settlement at Hametoun is roughly a 1.5-mile (30-minute) walk south from the pier along the single-track road. The post office sells postcards and occasional local knitwear. Foula follows the Julian Calendar — islanders celebrate Yule on January 6th and New Year on January 13th. Michael Powell filmed 'The Edge of the World' here in 1936 using locals as cast.
Find Shetland heritage tours →A striking natural sandstone sea arch on the island's north end, about 2 miles from the pier. The walk offers dramatic coastal scenery and a good chance of spotting grey and common seals hauled out on the rocks below.
Find Shetland coast tours →Foula is home to a genetically distinct strain of Shetland ponies that roam freely across the island. They're photogenic and approachable but should not be fed. Look for them along the road and in the moorland north of Hametoun.
Find Shetland wildlife tours →All walking on Foula is self-guided — pack waterproofs, boots, and offline maps.
Flat walk south along the island's single-track road from the pier to the small settlement. Pass the school, post office, and typical croft buildings. Shetland ponies often graze roadside.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Head west from the pier, climbing steeply over boggy peat moorland to the cliff edge above Da Kame. The terrain is pathless in places — expect wet feet and wind. The payoff is one of the most dramatic seabird cliffs in Britain. Stay back from the unfenced edge.
📍 Open in MapsClimate normals for Foula Island, Shetland, Scotland (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 92°F / 33°C | 64°F / 18°C | 1 |
| Feb | 95°F / 35°C | 68°F / 20°C | 2 |
| Mar | 95°F / 35°C | 72°F / 22°C | 7 |
| Apr | 94°F / 34°C | 73°F / 23°C | 11 |
| May | 91°F / 33°C | 72°F / 22°C | 19 |
| Jun | 87°F / 31°C | 71°F / 22°C | 22 |
| Jul | 84°F / 29°C | 70°F / 21°C | 28 |
| Aug | 83°F / 28°C | 69°F / 21°C | 28 |
| Sep | 85°F / 29°C | 69°F / 21°C | 26 |
| Oct | 88°F / 31°C | 70°F / 21°C | 17 |
| Nov | 91°F / 33°C | 68°F / 20°C | 5 |
| Dec | 91°F / 33°C | 64°F / 18°C | 1 |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Upcoming cruises that call at Foula Island, Shetland, Scotland. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.