Welcome to Skúvoy

Not every island can boast of having a bird named after it, but Skúvoy can. The Great Skua is named after the island known for its rich birdlife and Viking history.

Skúvoy is located in the southern part of the Faroe Islands, between Sandoy and Stóra Dímun. On the eastern side of Skúvoy, you find the port and the tranquil and charming village of the island. On the island's western side, almost 400-meter-tall cliffs rise dramatically from the ocean.

Birdlife

The island is known for its rich birdlife. When you arrive on Skúvoy during the summer, you will most likely be welcomed by many puffins, sitting on the water and flying over your head, flapping their small wings fast. The puffins are just one of the birds found on Skúvoy. Skúvoy has been a special place for bird enthusiasts for decades. The island has named the large seabird, the Great Skua. Skúvoy has some of the biggest Great Skua, Common Guillemot and Manx Shearwater populations on the Faroe Islands. Another special thing about Skúvoy is that there are no rats, mice or cats and therefore a significant number of birds nest closer to the village than in other places. Due to its rich birdlife, with many breeding species, Skúvoy is categorised as a Ramsar Island, which means that special measures are taken to protect the wildlife and nature. It might be tempting to get closer to the birds, but to avoid disturbing them, e.g., nesting and feeding their young, the marked paths, signs, and guidelines must be respected.

History and Sagas

Skúvoy is home to many historical sites, particularly those connected to chieftain Sigmund Brestisson, key in the Christianization of the Faroe Islands. He was born here and is said to have built the first church at Ólansgarður in Skúvoy, where he is also said to be buried by the large stone “Sigmundarsteinur.”

Other stories connected to Skúvoy are about Rannvá, a farmer's daughter who was banished from the village and lived in isolation in Fagridalur, thus being one of the few islanders to survive the Black Death. The Faroese author Dagmar Joensen-Næs wrote the novel Rannvá in 1971. More recent literature connected to Skúvoy is Sára Malena seinasta gandakellingin í Føroyum by Sólrun Michelsen, about the woman Sára Malena, who was said to be a witch.

Travelling to Skúvoy

Skúvoy can be reached by boat and helicopter. The small ferry, Sildberin, sails regularly from the harbour in Sandur. Sailing between Sandur and Skúvoy takes around 35 minutes. Please note that most departures are upon request and must be booked in advance. Read the page Getting to Skúvoy for important information before your journey.

There is no café or place to go inside as a visitor to Skúvoy, so we encourage you to book a “heimablídni” experience or a guided hike, where a place to come inside is often a part of the tour. Remember to always stay on the marked paths and respect signs—for your own safety and to protect the fragile wildlife and nature.