North of Scotland, past the Orkney Islands, lie the Faroe Islands. This small archipelago with its grandiose landscapes is well worth discovering. Sailing here can be sporty, but the many welcoming ports of call make up for any difficulties.
What you need to know in the Faroes
The main difficulty in navigating the eighteen Faroe Islands lies in the complexity of the currents that flow through them. In addition, wind direction and strength are greatly influenced by the islands' impressive relief. As a result, great care must be taken when passing peaks and cliffs, as well as bays and lochs.
Fog can come on very suddenly. Fortunately, there are also some very fine sunny days. Temperatures, meanwhile, remain very moderate even in summer, between ten and fifteen degrees. While heating in a well-insulated boat is not necessarily necessary in summer, it can be a welcome comfort.
It is therefore essential to have good documentation for navigating in the archipelago, and to prepare each trip carefully, no matter how short.
Tv ø royri
On the island of Suduroy, the southernmost of the archipelago, the Trongisv fjord á gsfj ø rdur is home to the pretty town of Tv ø royri, as well as the anchorages of Tjaldavik and Ø ravik. This fjord is an ideal entry point into the archipelago from Scotland, for example.
An old wooden wharf, close to the town center, is a peaceful place to moor at Tv ø royri. Boaters can dock outside or at the end of the dock for smaller units. Water is available on this dock.
Tv's little town ø royri offers all amenities and great hiking trails.
It is also possible to anchor near the entrance to the Fjord at Tjaldavik and Ø ravik. In this case, it is advisable to fit your anchor with a mooring line. There have been many fish farms in the fjord, and remnants of these installations remain on the ground. Boats can also anchor at the bottom of the fjord in good mud.
H ú savik
On the island of Sandoy, just north of Suduroy, the H ú savik is idyllic. Yet it is said to be the home of a lady who, in the 14th century, buried two of her maids alive.
We anchor in front of a sandy beach, bordered by a pretty village and its little houses with grassy roofs.
There's also a small, relatively deserted harbor, but it's only suitable for small craft. It has a slipway for dinghy landing.
Fuglafj ø rdur
On the island of Eysturoy, in the middle of the Faroe archipelago, Fuglafj ø rdur offers a convenient stopover. This important fishing port is located in a small town with more services than the surrounding villages. Supermarkets, a tourist office, souvenir stores, a restaurant, a library, clothing stores - the range is quite comprehensive.
Many docks and facilities are dedicated to fishing. You can smell it. Nevertheless, the bottom of the loch is bordered by a pleasant little town. Its small port is busy. If there's no room for visitors, you can anchor in front of the nearby beach.
Eidi
At the north-western end of the island of Eysturoy, the small port of Eidi has, for once, pontoons. A large new concrete pontoon is located along the shore on the west side of the harbor.
The port itself is constantly under construction. However, the village, a little way up the hill, is charming. Boaters will find a grocery store here. Hiking trails start from Eidi, notably to the Faroe Islands' highest peak, Slaettaratindur, at 882 meters.
Tj ø rnuv í k
Finally, opposite Eidi, on the north-eastern tip of the island of Streymoy, lies the Tj ø rnuv í k. It is absolutely remarkable for the panoramic view it affords of Risin og Kellingin, "the he Giant and the Witch "Two rocky peaks at the end of Eysturoy.
This anchorage is a perfect starting point for the climb to Iceland.
