About the Port
Boreray rises abruptly from the North Atlantic as part of the St Kilda archipelago, off Scotland's northwestern edge. Uninhabited and formed of sheer volcanic rock, the island and its attendant sea stacks, Stac an Armin and Stac Lee, shelter one of the largest gannet colonies on earth, alongside puffins, fulmars, and other seabirds that crowd every ledge in dense, wheeling numbers. The surrounding waters and cliffs form part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site prized for both natural and cultural significance, linked to the abandoned settlements of nearby Hirta.
No pier or safe landing exists on Boreray itself, so visits are typically made by small boat or by viewing the cliffs and stacks from offshore, weather and swell permitting. The approach rewards patience with a rare, unfiltered glimpse of one of the North Atlantic's wildest and most remote wildlife strongholds.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Boreray Island.
Cruise the Sea Stacks by Zodiac
Small boats thread past Stac an Armin and Stac Lee, the world's tallest sea stacks, for close-up views of tens of thousands of gannets blanketing the rock. Conditions permitting, this short tender excursion is the only way to experience Boreray up close.
Scan the Cliffs for Seabirds
Binoculars reveal puffins tucked into turf ledges and fulmars riding the updrafts alongside the wheeling gannet clouds. Early morning light offshore offers the sharpest views and best photography conditions.
Pair with Hirta's Abandoned Village
Where landing allows, the neighboring island's deserted stone cottages and cleitean add historical depth to Boreray's wild seabird spectacle, rounding out the St Kilda story in a single visit.
Cruise Lines That Call Here
Cruises That Visit Boreray Island
| Departs | Cruise Line | Ship | Itinerary | Nights | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 17, 2027 | Silversea | Silver Endeavour | 26 | $11,600 | |
| May 1, 2027 | Silversea | Silver Endeavour | 12 | $11,820 | |
| Apr 26, 2028 | Silversea | Silver Endeavour | 12 | $12,400 | |
| May 8, 2028 | Silversea | Silver Endeavour | 12 | $14,160 | |
| May 8, 2028 | Silversea | Silver Endeavour | 26 | $25,500 | |
| May 17, 2028 | Silversea | Silver Wind | 26 | $17,700 | |
| May 31, 2028 | Silversea | Silver Wind | 12 | $10,400 | |
| Jun 12, 2028 | Silversea | Silver Wind | 10 | $8,240 |