THE No.1 NOSS BOAT: 'EARLY BIRD' PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR with SHETLAND SEABIRD TOURS

The first of its kind in Shetland, in 2016 we started offering special boat trips for those 'early risers', with our 'Early Bird' sunrise tours for that much sort after early morning light at the back of Noss! Come capture those golden hours with the best light for photography at this location. Just wonderful to see the birds & cliffs bathed in early warm Shetland light. We'll have you back in Lerwick with great memories & a camera full of pics before breakfast & before most of the town has stirred into life! Just don't forget to take extra batteries & memory cards! We are the only boat with photographically experienced crew onboard!

BEST VISITOR ATTRACTION EXPERIENCE Highlands & Islands Thistle Awards 2022/3

Best Wildlife Boat Tour Company 2023 - N Scotland Scottish Enterprise Awards

Boat Tour Operator of the Year 2023/4 Scotland - Prestige Awards

Wildlife Tour Company of the Year 2022 & 2024 - Travel & Hospitality Awards Scotland

1 of TOP 10 UK BOAT TOURS The Guardian.

Please note this is a wildlife photography tour & does not include the full itinerary of other daily tours - we take you straight to the Noss cliffs to maximise your time with seabirds on the cliffs and in the water in the beautiful early morning light conditions.

• The Noss Boat wildlife tour will include an incredible gannet diving feeding frenzy, our speciality, as used by photographers and film crews from all over the world. The photographic opportunities are second to none - have your very own "Attenborough Moment".

• You’ll see one of Europe’s finest wildlife spectacles, the sight & sound of over 25,000 northern gannets lining the towering sandstone cliffs of Noss & swirling around the skies above us. 

• You will be guided by our highly experienced skipper & professional naturalist Phil Harris, with live commentary given throughout your tour suited to all ages. Phil loves nothing more than to be quizzed on his ornithological knowledge, so don’t hold back with any questions!

• You will travel through some of the richest marine environments on Shetland, around Noss National Nature Reserve & Bressay, surrounded by thousands of seabirds, from atlantic puffin, razorbill and common guillemot, to black guillemot, great skua, kittiwake & shag. 

• You’ll see close, inquisitive Grey Seals, which have been following fishing boats through Lerwick harbour for decades, as well as pass slowly by some of Shetland’s iconic landmarks & striking local geology. We are delighted to be Geopark partners, sharing local geological knowledge with all.

• We are always on the lookout for whales too. With increasing sightings of Orca in Shetland waters, we hope to be able to shout ‘whale!’ during your Noss boat tour. Certainly if they are in the area, you could be on no better boat & with no better guide than "Spotter Harris" to experience these ultimate marine mammals. We are also seeing Risso's Dolphin, Minke Whale & even Basking Sharks with increasing regularity.

• Our boat is a fabulous 11.5 metre Redbay twin engine boat, designed & built for wildlife watching at sea & perfect for Shetland waters. Uniquely on Shetland, our boat has 12 new, comfortable upholstered padded seats with backrests for all passengers as well as a large decking area for panoramic viewing & photography. 

• There is a TOILET below deck for peace of mind whilst out on the sea & we provide 12 fabulous new Opticron wildlife watching binoculars (sponsored by Opticron) & seabird and cetacean identification charts for all during the tour. 

• Young children are given a free Noss Boat eco-gift bag whilst onboard (worth £6) & we have a range of bespoke Noss Boat clothing & merchandise available for adults & children onboard (see online or on the shop leaflets in each seat pocket).

• We have teamed up with the local Peerie Shop Cafe, Lerwick to offer all our passengers a discount card for 10% off a hot drink or mug of soup post tour too!

• We look forward to welcoming you aboard. Come & see why we offer the best boat, the best wildlife experience, the best guides & of course, the best value for money. To avoid disappointment during our busiest times, please do book in advance either via our website booking system, email, phone or through the Lerwick Tourist Office. You will find parking available at Victoria Pier Car Park right next to the slipway we depart from & just opposite Lerwick Tourist Office.