Isle of Noss, Shetland, Scotland
A roaring, teeming wall of seabirds on sheer sandstone cliffs — Isle of Noss is a National Nature Reserve with no shops, no restaurants, and absolutely no equal for raw wildlife drama in British waters.
A roaring, teeming wall of seabirds on sheer sandstone cliffs — Isle of Noss is a National Nature Reserve with no shops, no restaurants, and absolutely no equal for raw wildlife drama in British waters.
There is no pier on the Isle of Noss — how you arrive depends entirely on your ship type.
💡 Pro move: Public landings are restricted to protect nesting birds. Always follow NatureScot and your expedition leader's guidance. No facilities exist on the island.
Isle of Noss has no cruise pier — access is by Zodiac from anchored expedition ships, or by boat tour and small ferry for passengers calling at Lerwick.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Expedition cruise lines (e.g. Hurtigruten, Quark, Ponant) | Anchor off Noss; Zodiac to Gungstie jetty📍 | Tendered |
| Mainstream cruise lines | Dock/tender at Lerwick; excursion boat to Noss📍 | Tendered |
Isle of Noss is all about wildlife — the entire visit is one giant excursion, whether from a Zodiac or a wildlife boat.
Cruise the base of the Noup of Noss in an inflatable Zodiac — 181m of sheer sandstone packed with 25,000 gannet pairs, guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes, and fulmars. One of the most memorable wildlife experiences in northern Europe.
Find Shetland wildlife boat tours →From the Gungstie landing, hike the circuit of the island: up through bonxie (Great Skua) nesting grounds to the clifftop, along the Noup, and back via the western coast. Puffins, seals, and possibly orcas en route.
Find guided Shetland walks →Depart Victoria Pier, Lerwick on a local wildlife tour boat that circles Bressay and Noss. No landing required — the boat gets close to the cliffs for incredible photography. Run by local operators with naturalist commentary.
Find Lerwick wildlife boat tours →Independent option: Lerwick–Bressay car ferry (7 min), walk or taxi across Bressay (3 miles), then the small NatureScot inflatable ferry across Noss Sound. Good for self-guided exploration when time permits.
Check NatureScot Noss ferry schedule →The Noss Circular Walk is the only real trail on the island — rugged, scenic, and populated by aggressive bonxies near their nests.
From the landing at Gungstie, head east past seal haul-outs, climb through the bonxie nesting grounds (hold a stick above your head — they dive-bomb the highest point), reach the Noup clifftop, walk the clifftop south along the gannet colony, then loop back west. Ends at Gungstie.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →A short walk from the landing to the seal haul-out rocks and the warden's cottage. Gives a taste of island life and wildlife without the full hike. Good if Zodiac time is limited.
📍 Open in MapsClimate normals for Isle of Noss, 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 | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 43°F / 6°C | 38°F / 3°C | 21 | 8:52 AM | 3:34 PM |
| Feb | 43°F / 6°C | 38°F / 3°C | 17 | 7:42 AM | 4:54 PM |
| Mar | 44°F / 7°C | 38°F / 3°C | 19 | 6:20 AM | 6:06 PM |
| Apr | 46°F / 8°C | 40°F / 4°C | 12 | 5:46 AM | 8:22 PM |
| May | 50°F / 10°C | 44°F / 7°C | 14 | 4:25 AM | 9:37 PM |
| Jun | 55°F / 13°C | 49°F / 9°C | 13 | 3:39 AM | 10:30 PM |
| Jul | 57°F / 14°C | 52°F / 11°C | 17 | 4:07 AM | 10:11 PM |
| Aug | 57°F / 14°C | 52°F / 11°C | 17 | 5:18 AM | 8:56 PM |
| Sep | 55°F / 13°C | 50°F / 10°C | 16 | 6:32 AM | 7:24 PM |
| Oct | 51°F / 11°C | 47°F / 8°C | 19 | 7:44 AM | 5:53 PM |
| Nov | 47°F / 8°C | 43°F / 6°C | 18 | 8:03 AM | 3:32 PM |
| Dec | 45°F / 7°C | 39°F / 4°C | 20 | 9:03 AM | 2:55 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Upcoming cruises that call at Isle of Noss, 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.