From the playful otters on Yell's shores to the haunting cries from Shetland's seals, there's wildlife here in abundance.
Shetland’s soaring sea cliffs are superb seabird cities. The cliffs of Hermaness rising to 170 metres at the Neap are home to more than 100,000 breeding seabirds. Thousands of seabirds swoop and dive in a dizzying display, while a comic turn from the puffins (or tammie nories as they’re known locally) is an entertaining sideshow.
Noss, too is almost perfect for cliff-nesting seabirds: a high-rise block surrounded by food. The shallow, sandy seabed north and south is a spawning ground for sandeels - the staple food of puffins, terns and kittiwakes.
But beware of the bonxies (or great skuas). They’re notorious for dive-bombing anyone who steps too close to their nests. The whistle of their wings as they fly just above your head is a memorable sound.
Meanwhile on Mousa, Mousa Broch is the finest surviving example in the world of a 2,000 year old Iron Age tower, or broch. It was one of about 120 built throughout Shetland in more troubled times. Mentioned in the sagas as an eloping lovers' hideout, Mousa Broch is one of the wonders of European archaeology.
Storm petrels (alamooties) nest within its stone chambers. Spending their days feeding far out to sea, these tiny swallow-like birds return to their nests under cover of darkness to avoid larger predatory seabirds. A midnight excursion to see and hear the storm petrels is not to be missed. Our long summer days mean you can watch thousands of these wonderful birds slowly coming home.
Booking directly with NorthLink Ferries on www.northlinkferries.co.uk is cheaper than booking with another website and we never charge for any amendments made 
to your booking!Q What makes Shetland wildlife so special?
A It would have to be the seabirds. Shetland is probably the best place in Europe to see seabirds. There is nowhere else with the same numbers, variety and easy access. The boats don’t bother the birds, so we can get in really close.
Q What about other wildlife?
A We can also get really close to the grey seals. They come right up to the boat. In fact you have to be careful not to leave your hands dangling over the side, or you might get a quick nip! The common seals are more wary, but we can still get quite close. Shetland’s also probably the best place in Europe to see orcas (or killer whales) and otters, but they’re much rarer, so we can’t guarantee to see them, but when we do, it’s quite spectacular and special. But what we can guarantee are fantastic seabirds, closer than you could imagine.
