Throw yourself off cliffs, dive in icy waters and paddle beneath sheer rock faces: Discover true adventure with a holiday in the Faroe Islands

Throw yourself off cliffs, dive in icy waters and paddle beneath sheer rock faces: Discover true adventure with a holiday in the Faroe Islands

Did you know that there is nowhere in the Faroe Islands that is further than 5km (3 miles) from the sea? With 18 volcanic islands, separated by narrow, fast-flowing fjords, the ocean has always been a hugely important part of Faroese life.

And, for travellers, the sheer volcanic cliffs that rise from the ocean floor, and the wild seas surrounding the islands, offer an incredible adventure playground of activities, from diving and kayaking to cliff jumping and rappelling.  

How about these adrenaline-fuelled options to get your heart racing…?

KAYAKING | Navigate the dramatic cliffs, waterfalls and rocks with a local guide, Sigurð Davidsen, who in 2021 invested in all the equipment needed, including wetsuits, and launched his own kayak tours. Sigurð, who lives in the village of Hósvík, 20 minutes from the capital, Tórshavn, is a certified DKF-instructor 2 in Sea Kayak.  His company, Kajakk.fo, offers a range of tours and experiences, including an evening spent kayaking.  His personally-accompanied kayak tours cost from 850 DKK / approx. £95 pp.  www.kajakk.fo/

DIVING | Get under the surface of the Faroes… literally, discovering what lies beneath some of the cleanest waters in the world. Explore the deep canyons and underwater grottos, where you will see the healthy, sinuously dancing kelp forest along with a seabed resembling a botanical garden. Guided dives (for those with certification) lasting 7-8 hours start from 2,490 DKK pp / approx. £278 pp. northatlanticdiving.com/product/discover-scuba/

SURFING | Push through towering waves for a thrilling ride in the North Atlantic Ocean. Although 95% bravery and 5% craziness are definite prerequisites, along with a good amount of experience, surfing in the Faroes is certainly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.  Growing as a sport amongst locals, it is now opening up to interested visitors, too.   https://faroeislandssurfguide.com/   

CLIFF JUMPING | With instructors from the Faroe Islands National Gymnastics Team, the company Outdoor offers travellers a variety of cliff jumping adventures. Not for the faint-hearted, hurl yourself off dizzying heights for that maximum adrenalin rush… and lots of fun, too. Give it a go from 2,000 DKK pp / approx. £223 pp. www.outdoor.fo/en/cliff-jumping

RAPPELLING | Rappelling, or Síging in Faroese, has been a necessity of life for hundreds of years. It was originally a way of surviving for the ancestors of the current generation of Faroese people, and was used to access more land on which their sheep could graze.  They descended by rope with a sheep on their backs to reach grassy surfaces half-way down mountainsides, and left their sheep there for the summer season before literally picking up the sheep in autumn!  They also rappelled down high cliffs where birds were nesting, to collect eggs.  Both are still done to this day.  Try it from 2,000 DKK pp / approx. £223 pp. www.outdoor.fo/en/rapelling

FISHING | Take to the sea in a traditional Faroese fishing boat – a true experience of Faroese handicraft! In a small group, sail out through the magnificent fjords and try your hand at casting a fishing line while your guides tell you wondrous folklore tales and local stories. There’s a chance to catch Atlantic cod, haddock, whiting or saithe. In Elduvík, guests are invited into the home of traditional sheep farmers, Frida and Paul Johannes, who will provide a menu of traditional Faroese specialties to enjoy along with your fish. Book a trip from 1,765 DKK pp / approx. £197 pp. boat.fo/book/fish-visit-dine-elduvik/

For further information on these exciting activities and many more, including hiking across all 18 islands, visit www.visitfaroeislands.com.

Daily flights to the Faroe Islands from Edinburgh operate year-round and cost from £200 pp return. Visit www.atlantic.fo for further information.

Choose from a selection of hotels, guesthouses, cottages, self-catering apartments and campsites in the Faroe Islands. Visit www.visitfaroeislands.com/en/where-to-stay/ for further information.