Exploration aboard a sailboat - Faroe Islands, Orkney Islands and Shetland Islands
In summary
-
Sports
-
Duration14 days
-
LevelAll levels
-
DestinationDenmark / Faroe Islands
-
AgeFrom the age of 18
-
CO₂-Emissions209.45 kg CO2
-
Type of stayIn a group
-
Languages
French
English
In a few words
⛵ From the Faroe Islands to the Highlands: a journey into the legends of the North
Embark on an exceptional cruise through three iconic archipelagos : the Faroe Islands , Shetland , and Orkney , all the way to the edge of the Scottish Highlands . From Tórshavn , your first night in port immerses you in the North Atlantic atmosphere before an introductory coastal voyage through the Faroese fjords 🌫️. Then, head southwest for an offshore crossing to Shetland and its vibrant capital, Lerwick , followed by a wild stopover on Fair Isle , a haven for birds 🐦.
Next stop: Orkney for several days of exploration: Kirkwall , Stromness , Scapa Flow … depending on the weather and tides 🌬️🌊. The cruise concludes with a final sail between Pentland Firth and Moray Firth , all the way to Inverness , where you'll spend one last night in port.
💫 Between island coastal cruising and high seas navigation , this participatory cruise immerses you in the heart of the captivating atmosphere of the North Seas , between raw nature and island heritage.
The highlights
-
A crossing between three mythical archipelagos of the Far North
-
Wild stopovers in Shetland and Orkney, between nature and Nordic culture
-
Participatory sailing aboard a sailboat listed as a Historical Monument
Photos
Sport
Level
Sailing
Management
French
English
A professional and caring crew at your service.
On board the Fleur de Lampaul, you will be accompanied by a crew of three professional sailors, passionate about the sea and passing on their know-how.
- The captain, responsible for the safety and smooth running of the ship, will guide you pedagogically in the art of traditional sailing.
- The second mate, the captain's right-hand man, will introduce you to the maneuvers, to holding the helm, and to the rhythm of life at sea.
- The sailor-cook, in addition to participating in navigation, will delight the crew and passengers with simple, tasty meals adapted to life at sea.
Everyone here shares the desire to create a warm atmosphere and offer you a friendly and safe maritime experience. No sailing experience is necessary: your curiosity is all you need!
Program
-
Boarding in Tórshavn, Faroe Islands, Denmark
- Accommodation Sailing cruise ship
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Check-in is from 6 pm (with the possibility of arriving later in the evening depending on your schedule). You can also leave your bags upon arrival if you let us know in advance.
Boarding, meeting the crew, presentation of the sailboat, safety briefing followed by a friendly meal shared together. First night at the dock.
Day 1 -
Coastal sailing in the Faroe Islands
- Activity Sailing
- Accommodation Sailing cruise ship
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
A short coastal sail in the Faroe Islands to get a feel for things, then heading offshore in the late afternoon.
Day 2 -
Long crossing to the Shetland Islands (~200 NM)
- Activity Sailing
- Accommodation Sailing cruise ship
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Two days and one night at sea, participation in maneuvers and watches.
Arrival in Lerwick/Scalloway, exploration ashore.
Days 3 to 4 -
Shetland to Fair Isle (~60 NM)
- Activity Sailing
- Accommodation Sailing cruise ship
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
A day at sea to the wildest island.
Nature stopover on Fair Isle: self-guided hiking possible, seabirds, evening at anchor.
Days 5 to 6 -
Fair Isle in the Orkney Islands (~60 NM)
- Activity Sailing
- Accommodation Sailing cruise ship
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Arrival in Kirkwall, then 2-3 days to enjoy the Orkney Islands (Kirkwall, Stromness, Scapa Flow) depending on the weather.
Smooth sailing between islands and visits.
Days 7 to 11 -
Orkney Islands to Inverness (~120 NM)
- Activity Sailing
- Accommodation Sailing cruise ship
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Final offshore leg via the Pentland Firth and the Moray Firth.
Arrived in Inverness the day before the end and spent the night at the dock.
Days 12 to 13 -
End of the cruise in Inverness
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
The cruise ends in Inverness, the gateway to the Highlands, after a final night docked in the port and a last breakfast shared on board.
Disembarkation is scheduled for 9am, with the possibility of disembarking earlier in case of an early morning flight.
Day 14
Note
Please note : Programs, itineraries and stopovers are given as a guide only and may be modified at any time depending on external conditions, including weather.
The safety of the passengers and the sailboat remains the crew's priority.
Accommodation
🌊 A boat designed for life on board
La Fleur de Lampaul features a large, welcoming saloon that can accommodate up to 16 people seated around two tables. This is where you'll share meals, quiet moments, or evenings spent putting the world to rights. The galley , open to the communal area, is functional and well-equipped , allowing you to prepare delicious meals even while sailing.
🌅 You will also have access to:
- On the outside deck to enjoy sailing, the sun, or maneuvering.
- In the wheelhouse , where you can steer the boat – in the warmth – alongside the crew
⚓ The professional crew is housed in an area separate from the rest of the ship, guaranteeing the peace and privacy of the passengers.
Access
The exact location of the sailboat in Tórshavn Marina will be communicated to you before the day of departure.
Go to the starting point
🚆 Return from Inverness, Scotland (UK)
To get from Inverness to Paris, you cross the United Kingdom from north to south via a multi-stage route that is easy to plan:
1️⃣ Inverness > Edinburgh : approximately 3.5 hours by train
2️⃣ Edinburgh > London : approximately 6 hours by train
3️⃣ London > Paris : approximately 2 hours 30 minutes by Eurostar
🚌 From the port of Inverness, you can reach the train station:
• By bus no. 3 (direct route)
• Or on foot , in about 20 minutes
A lovely way to extend your journey through the Scottish and English landscapes before returning to the continent. 🌍
🧭 Practical Information – Departure & Return
📍 Departure – To Tórshavn, Faroe Islands (Denmark)
• ✈️ Daily flights all year round, direct or with a stopover, to Vágar Airport
• 🚌 Buses every hour from the airport to Tórshavn (56 km journey – approximately 100 DKK / €13.50 )
• 🚢 Possibility of crossing by ferry from Denmark (36-hour journey, 1 to 2 departures per week depending on the period)
📍 Return – From Inverness, Scotland (UK)
• ✈️ Daily flights to France , usually with a stopover
• 🚖 Port > airport route :
→ Bus No. 11
→ Or taxi (approx. 12 min – £21 to £26 depending on the time of day)
🚢 Departure – To Tórshavn, Faroe Islands (Denmark)
Boarding takes place in Tórshavn , the capital of the Faroe Islands . To get there, you can take a ferry from Denmark 🇩🇰.
🕓 The journey lasts approximately 36 hours , with one or two departures per week , depending on the season. This crossing offers a chance to soak up the Nordic atmosphere , between sea and sky.
Price details
The price includes
- Sailing aboard the Fleur de Lampaul, supervised by a professional crew (captain, first mate and cook)
- Accommodation on board in a shared cabin with a single bed
- All meals during the cruise, carefully prepared by the crew (breakfast, lunch or picnic, afternoon tea, dinner)
- Complete bedding: sheets, pillow, blanket
- One small bath towel per person
- Cleaning the sailboat
- Zodiac transfers between the boat and shore during anchorages
- Shipping costs and fuel
- Navigation/passenger insurance for the entire duration of the cruise
The price does not include
- Transportation and transfers to/from the port of embarkation in Granville
- Shore excursions, museums, tours or tourist activities
- Personal expenses and activities other than those related to life on board and navigation (restaurants, souvenirs, etc.)
- Each person remains free to make their own choices and manage their own budget during stopovers.
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, it is essential to check the entry formalities in force for the Faroe Islands (autonomous territory of Denmark, country of departure) and for the United Kingdom (country of arrival).
🛂 Valid passport
The Faroe Islands, although autonomous, are part of the Kingdom of Denmark but are not part of the Schengen Area. Therefore, French citizens need a valid passport to board.
The United Kingdom, for its part, no longer belongs to the European Union : a passport valid for the entire duration of the stay is mandatory to enter it.
Ensure that your document remains valid for the entire duration of your trip.
📩 Information to be provided before boarding
In accordance with maritime authority requirements, we will ask you, before your arrival:
- First and last name
- Gender
- Nationality
- Date and place of birth
- Identity document number, issuing country, expiry date
✈️ Air Stopovers
If you are arriving at or departing from the ship by plane (from Vágar or Inverness airport), check the entry requirements for the transit countries, especially if you are connecting with a non-European airline.
📋 Individual responsibility
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance, particularly with regard to the validity of your identity documents, visa requirements (if applicable), health recommendations, any customs restrictions or local regulations.
ℹ️ Official Resources
As the procedures may change, please check the official websites regularly:
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
- Complete bedding: sheets, pillow and blanket
- Small bath towel
- Safety equipment for navigation, including a self-inflating life jacket
Therefore, you do not need to bring a sleeping bag or personal sailing safety equipment.
Equipment to bring
- A hat or cap to protect you from the sun
- Sunglasses (with good UV protection, even in winter)
- Insulated water bottle (1 L recommended)
- High protection sunscreen and lip balm
- Earplugs for better sleep in communal settings
- Personal toiletries (biodegradable products recommended)
- Chargers for your electronic devices (standard 220V sockets on board)
- Daypack for stopovers
- Soft travel bag (dairy or sports type preferred — not a rigid suitcase)
Clothing to bring
- Quarter jacket and trousers or coat
- Warm fleece and thermal base layers
- Deck boots or waterproof shoes suitable for the boat
- Sailing gloves
- Hiking shoes
- Swimsuit
- Think practical, warm, lightweight and moisture-resistant.