With a culture steeped in both Nordic and Scottish history, Shetland really is a place like no other and, for that reason, an essential stop on any cruise ship itinerary.
Berths and Anchorages
Larger vessels are accommodated at anchor with easy transfer of passengers by launch to dedicated landing pontoons located in a sheltered dock adjacent to the town centre, providing safe areas for assembly.
There are dedicated drop-off and pick-up areas for shore excursions immediately adjacent to all berths.
Specification | Mair's Pier | Holmsgarth 5 | Victoria Pier | Alexandra Wharf | Anchor, Inner | Anchor, Breiwick |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Max. length (metres) | 275 | 163 | 91 | 63 | n/a | n/a |
Max. Depth (metres) | 9.1 | 9.2 | 7.8 | 5.5 | 18 | 25 |
Max. turning circle (metres) | 450 | 450 | 660 | 660 | 660 | 1000 |
Tidal range | Average +0.8m during neaps; +1.6m during springs. | |||||
Pontoon landing stage | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | Full disability access with gangway. | |
Tender distance (nautical miles) | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 0.3 | 1 |
Duration of stay | Unlimited | |||||
Fenders | Tyre matrix and floating yokohamas provided on all berths. | n/a | n/a | |||
Gangway | Ship's own | n/a | n/a | |||
ISPS Approved | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Fuel | Marine Gas Oil (MGO) can be supplied by road-tanker at all berths, or large volumes by pipeline at Holmsgarth 5 and Victoria Pier. | |||||
Fresh Water | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | n/a | n/a |
Shore Power | No | No | No | No | n/a | n/a |
Supplies | Experienced local wholesalers can provide ships stores. | |||||
Waste handling | MCA approved Port Waste Management Plan. Experienced private contractors are available for waste handling including International Catering Waste. | |||||
Tugs | 21t and 24t bollard pull tugs available if required, tugs 70t and 90t available via advance booking. | |||||
Pilotage | Compulsory for all vessels carrying passengers >30m | |||||
Port Control | VHF Channel 12 | |||||
Medical Emergency | Hospital within 1km of Town Centre. | |||||
Prevailing wind | Predominantly south-westerly. | |||||
Air draft | Unlimited. | |||||
Shopping nearby (km) | 1 | 0.5 | <0.5 | Less than 0.5 | <0.5 at pontoon | <0.5 at pontoon |
Public toilets nearby | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Internet access | Public access service available nearby town centre berths. | |||||
Need to check distances between ports? Use the Cruise Scotland distance calculator.
Mair's Pier
Holmsgarth 5
Victoria Pier
Inner Anchorage
South Anchorage
Tender pontoons
Shore Excursions
Shetland has much to offer cruise lines in search of a unique destination. Passengers can experience modern visitor sites, world-class archeological excavations or the flora and fauna of its natural environment either by coach or independently on foot.
shetland.org and Cruise Shetland show the opportunity for exploring our thriving archipelago in the heart of the North Sea.
Experienced shore excursion providers ensure that shore excursions operate smoothly. All sizes of groups can be catered for, whether it be a small niche tour, or large numbers visiting one of Shetland's 'must-see' sites.
Coaches are of a high standard and can cater for guests with varying mobility requirements.
Local guides carry the nationally recognised Green Badge qualification certified by Scottish Tourist Guides Association. Over 45 professional tour guides are based in the islands, offering specialist areas of interest and language services in German, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Norwegian, Dutch, Russian, Czech and Polish.
Transport Connections
Sumburgh Airport is situated 40km from the town centre for scheduled daily air services by Loganair to and from mainland UK.
A daily overnight roll-on roll-off ferry service operated by Serco NorthLink Ferries connects Lerwick to and from Aberdeen with calls in Kirkwall, Orkney.
Development Plans
As part of Lerwick Port Authority’s long-term vision to enhance cruise traffic, significant investment is being made in a major dredging programme to improve access and berthing for visiting cruise vessels. The project, awarded to Boskalis Westminster Ltd (June 2025), will widen the North Ness channel to 130 metres and deepen it to 10 metres, with additional work in the mid-harbour basin to improve the navigational margins for mid to large-sized cruise vessels. Mair’s Pier will also be dredged to a uniform 10-metre chart datum, maximising the use of its 275-metre quay. These improvements mark a key step towards increasing deep-water berthing capacity.
