Travel with highly experienced Noss Boat crew to experience an amazing wildlife spectacle. Our daily cruises take you around Bressay & Noss National Nature Reserve – one of Europe’s most sensational reserves. Our catamaran sports panoramic views so you can take in the breath-taking sights of this magnificent seabird metropolis, fully and uninterrupted
This unique experience gives amateur and professional photographers, a chance of spectacular early morning light on 20,000 birds in the Noss gannetry. Our spacious boat gives passionate photographers a golden opportunity to snap some extraordinary wildlife.
Experience wildlife so prolific in our Lerwick Harbour and Shetland's rich aquatic environment, with our 'underwater viewing'. We use a remotely controlled submarine video camera, which releases amazing underwater views to display screens in our sheltered cabin to show you a variety of sealife below.
As Shetland’s well-established and longest-running Noss Boat Tour Business, we strive to be your holiday highlight, and the reviews say so. Our current owners, husband & wife, Brian and Marie, took over the business in 2017. Brian has been ever present since Jonathon Wills established it in 1992!
Our welcoming crew are beyond excited to share their passion for Shetland’s beautiful wildlife aboard M.V Seabird. We are Shetland’s No.1 choice for tourists, locals, tour groups/agencies, and film crews, most recently Simon King Wildlife & BBC Scotland.
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A trip aboard The Noss Boat 'Seabird' is a highlight for many as shown in our many fantastic reviews and from the number of awards won, we come highly recommended. We are the NO.1 choice for comfort, viewing and photography.
Safety is paramount to us at Seabirds-and-Seals. We are not a solo operation, along with our highly-experienced Skipper and in the interest of passenger welfare, safety and comfort, we always have an expert local guide at your service on every tour. This invarably results in a much richer and more satisfying customer experience!
Experience the sea like never before. On this amazing wildlife spectacular, you get to enjoy Shetland's abundant wildlife, guaranteeing close up views of Noss National Nature Reserve - one of Europe's most sensational reserves.
We bring fresh fish to give you the guaranteed opportunity to see gannets encircling and diving right alongside the boat - Always a great highlight!
Our experience and knowledge of the sea, nature and local heritage is unrivalled and it is why we are consistently ranked NO.1 on TripAdvisor!
We anchor in a tranquil little bay to enjoy hot or cold drinks and a selection of biscuits…always a great highlight with plenty more wildlife/photography opportunities.
We provide all you need to have an incredible experience at sea, this includes binoculars, wildlife identifications charts (also available in Braille), and more! Lifejackets are made available to all during our important safety briefing.
A unique feature of the Seabird is the boarding platform which facilitates easy wheelchair access, we strongly believe in inclusivity for all.
As a long-time nature tour leader, I am always delighted to find partners to work with who provide the very best experiences for my clients. The seabird cliffs of Noss are one of the most spectacular sights on the planet and Seabirds and Seals provides the very best viewing of that spectacle. Marie and Brian were fantastic to work with; from the initial booking, to the day-of-details. Their knowledge of, and passion for the seabirds and other wildlife of Shetland is evident every step of the way. My group of American visitors were in awe. Brian’s boat skills allowed for breathtaking photo opportunities and jaw-dropping views. Marie’s narration gave them a broad understanding of the lives of these birds and the history of the island. The Gannet feeding at the end was the perfect conclusion to a memorable trip. I will be back in Shetland with another group soon and the first planning email will be to Seabirds and Seals to make sure we schedule our trip to Noss. . . . THANK YOU!
I have known this company since the first time I came to Shetland. I started with Jonathan Wills, now Marie and Brian continue this work with great professionalism and passion. I am an Italian guide who has been organizing trips to Shetland with Italian groups for 15 years. The Noss tour with Seabirds-and-Seals is an event that cannot be missed. It is an integral and fundamental part of the entire journey. I have always worked very well with Marie and Brian, and they have always been available to help me to find the best solution even when the sea told us no. They are two very special people…first of all ‘Good’, then they are excellent professionals who know how to put customers at ease and know how to make you experience the unique magic of Noss and Bressay. I will return every year, hopefully for a long time, waiting to say hello to my adventure friends and have the best tea with biscuits in the world in some cove in Noss or Bressay.
If you want a magical journey take a cruise with Seabirds-and-Seals! An expert skipper and knowledgeable guides will get you close to seabird cities, plunge diving gannets and great skuas. You should have a close approach from confiding seals and lay eyes on the house of Jimmy Perez, Shetland’s iconic TV detective! I’ll never forget my adventure with Marie and Marvyn.
The seabird cliffs of Noss rank as one of the most stunning wildlife spectacles in Britain and Ireland, and there is no better way to witness their splendour than with Marie and Brian onboard The Noss Boat ‘Seabird’. Brian will get you into the best possible position for the finest views whilst always respecting the wildlife you are watching and Marie will regale you with fascinating facts about the wildlife, geology and Island history, punctuated with the beauty of the Shetland dialect. The boat is ideal for observation and photography, with a spacious rear deck that allows standing room for all, but compact enough to venture into some of the caves around the island on calmer days. Even life beneath the waves will be brought into the comfort of the cabin via the ROV – a remotely operated submersible with a camera sending live images to screens at the surface. All that, plus a fine cuppa and a biscuit – a first class experience in every way!
The BEST visitor experience – We were a group of locals (family visiting from the mainland) and we really did have the best day. From start to finish was a please to be onboard. Marie, Brian and Crew were so knowledgeable and very kind to our younger members of family. We did this trip last Summer and everyone still speaks about how good it was and asking when we can go again! This trip was a reminder of just how stunning Shetland is and made us all appreciate what is on our doorstep. It also made me proud to showcase to family this brilliant tour business.
Our spacious 13.5m catamaran offers 360° panoramic viewing allowing you to take in all the sights without worrying about where you step, making it ideal for the best photography opportunities.
M.V Seabird is a very stable craft, with two hulls, and twin 370hp engines. Another unique feature of the Seabird is the boarding platform which facilitates easy wheelchair access, we strongly believe in inclusivity for all. You can find out more about it via the accessibility guide below.
Welcome to our multi-award-winning boat tour business, operated by Brian and Marie. Both Shetland born-and-bred with a lifetime of experience with boats, the sea, nature, wildlife, geology, history and, much more. Our passion for work and exceptional customer care has earned us top accolades, most recently ‘Service Excellence’ in Scotland, and ‘Scottish Family Business Of The Year’. With over 30 years of experience, we pride ourselves on showcasing the beauty of Lerwick’s harbor, Bressay, and Noss, ensuring a memorable experience for all. Our extensive seafaring expertise, led by Skipper, Brian—a qualified Marine Engineer—and Marie’s commitment to inclusion and sustainability, ensures the highest safety and service standards. From 5-star ratings to Green Gold Tourism awards, we continue to lead the way in sustainable and inclusive tourism in Shetland.
We are often joined by relief crew, many of whom have been with us for many years some of those from when the business started in 1992, including co-owner Brian.