Noss National Nature Reserve - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The ferry runs daily (except Mondays and Thursdays) between 10am and 5pm, sea conditions permitting. If it is not a Monday or Thursday, please call the ferry line at 0800 107 7818. The wardens update this ferry line every morning by 8am saying whether the ferry can run that day, and with other relevant information such as delays due to fog. 

Unfortunately, due to changing sea conditions, the wardens cannot determine which future dates they will be able to run the ferry. Therefore, please call the ferry line (at 0800 107 7818) the morning of your visit, before you come on to Bressay. 

We do have a card reader, but as it is not reliable due to limited energy on the island, we strongly recommend bringing cash. Please note that we are not always able to accept card payments. 

The Noss ferry does not take bookings; simply wait at the steps and the wardens will come get you. The ferry takes five people at a time, so if there are people ahead of you in the queue, wait times can be longer. Please call the ferry line at 0800 107 7818 to check if the ferry is running before making your way over.

On days when the ferry is running, the wardens run regular trips when people are waiting. To get onto the island, please wait at the ferry terminal. The wardens will operate the ferry when they see people waiting there. Depending on how busy the wardens are, you may have to wait a short period until they are able to pick you up.  Please call the ferry line at 0800 107 7818 to check if the ferry is running before making your way over. When leaving the island, the warden will be gathering groups together throughout the day. If you are on a tight schedule, please allow extra time in case of delays.

Yes! We take tour groups across as usual, five at a time. There is no need to book or contact the wardens in advance. Please call the ferry line at 0800 107 7818 on the morning of your visit to check if the ferry is running. We will ferry across your tour group in groups of five, and when everyone is on island, we will give the whole group a brief informational/safety talk before you begin the walk. 

Yes! There is no landing fee to land on Noss. You can land on any of our beaches; please avoid using the Noost ferry terminal when the ferry is running. If it is not a Monday or Thursday, we recommend heading up to the visitor’s centre for some information about the island and where you can walk. Please avoid walking in the middle of the island to avoid disturbing ground-nesting birds. 

We try to make ferry access as easy as possible, but as we use natural landing areas without altering the landscape, it is not as easy as other ferries. Depending on the tide, there may be a very large step up or down into the zodiac. There may be uneven, slippery rock surfaces to navigate, and there may be beach landings. Please take your time getting in and out of the ferry and ask the wardens for assistance if you are unsteady. Wheelchair access may sometimes be possible according to specific needs. If you are concerned about accessing the ferry, you can time your arrival with the tides on the day of your visit. The easiest time to get in and out of the boat is at mid-tides. 

You can spend as long or short as you like on Noss, so long as you are back in time for the last ferry at 5pm. If you plan to walk around the whole island loop, we recommend 3.5-4.5 hours. If you want to see the cliffs and Gannet and Puffin colonies, these are on the other side of the island from the ferry terminal. We recommend 2-3 hours round-trip for this walk. If you are on a tight schedule, please allow extra time in case of delays. 

We recommend wearing sturdy, waterproof shoes, and bringing extra layers and waterproof clothes. The weather can be wet and cold, and even on sunny days you may be splashed in the boat. It is recommended to bring a waterproof bag or cover for any cameras or valuables that can’t get splashed. Make sure you bring water and snacks if you intend to do one of the longer walks, which can take 2-4 hours.