THE WILD WONDERS OF SHETLAND 27.6.–5.7.2026

Gannets, puffins, otters and cliffs at the crossroads of the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea.

Located between Scotland and Norway, the Shetland Islands form a wild and fascinating archipelago where wind, sea and light shape every landscape. Towering cliffs, heather-covered moorlands, secluded coves and clouds of seabirds make Shetland a truly unique place for nature and photography lovers.

This exceptional photo tour will take you to meet Northern gannets, puffins, Arctic terns, skuas and otters, often seen along the rugged coastline.

Between bird colonies, windswept landscapes and ever-changing northern light, you will experience an intense photographic adventure — a blend of raw nature and pure emotion.

Highlights of the Tour
• A unique opportunity for underwater gannet photography, carried out safely from the boat using an immersed camera system — a rare chance to capture these spectacular divers both above and below the surface.
• Photo sessions on clifftop bird colonies featuring puffins, skuas, terns and guillemots.
• Special opportunities to photograph otters in their natural coastal environment.
• Discovery of Shetland’s wild and ever-changing landscapes.
• A small group of 5 participants and two professional photo guides for personalized guidance and teaching.

Practical Information

Dates: June 28 – July 5, 2026Duration: 8 days / 7 nights

Target group: Open to all nature and photography enthusiasts. The program includes light walks of a few kilometers per day; a normal physical condition is sufficient.

Group size: Maximum 5 participants + two photo guides

Accommodation: Sumburgh and St Magnus hotels, in double rooms (single room available with a supplement of €300).

Meals: Full board.

Guides: Mikko Oivukka and Clément Poumeyrol.

Price: € 3 950 – Single room supplement: €300.
The price includes hides and permits, accommodation, meals as mentioned in the program, local transportation, and the services of the guides.

Registration: Final registration for the trip can be completed directly through our online store or by email at info@kuusamonaturephotography.fi .
The trip will take place if a minimum of three participants is confirmed 30 days before departure.

Program

Day 1 – June 28: Arrival in Sumburgh
Arrival and check-in at the Sumburgh Hotel for the first night. Welcome dinner and introduction to the week’s program.

Day 2 – June 29: Sumburgh Head & Noss
Morning at Sumburgh Head photographing puffins, gannets and skuas. In the afternoon, a boat trip around Noss Island to photograph gannets diving and flying above the sea.
Check-in at St Magnus Hotel, where we will stay until Wednesday, July 3.

Day 3 – June 30: Eshaness and the otters
Half of the group will go out with a local guide to look for otters, while the other explores the volcanic cliffs of Eshaness and their spectacular waves for landscape photography.

Day 4 – July 1: Group rotation
The two groups switch activities — otters and landscapes.

Day 5 – July 2: Unst Island and Hermaness
Excursion to Unst, the northernmost island of Shetland, to photograph vast colonies of gannets, puffins and skuas in Hermaness National Nature Reserve.

Day 6 – July 3: Yell Island and Arctic terns
Trip to Yell Island to photograph Arctic terns and black guillemots.
This day also serves as a backup opportunity to return for otter photography if weather or conditions were unfavorable earlier.

Day 7 – July 4: Noss on foot & end of the tour
Final day on Noss Island, this time on foot, for a full immersion among thousands of seabirds. Return to Sumburgh for the last night and departure the next morning.

Day 8 – July 5: Departure
End of the tour.

Good to know

Payment and conditions

Payment
A deposit of €800 is required upon booking. This deposit is non-refundable in case of cancellation by the participant.
If the tour is canceled by the organizer, all payments will be fully refunded.

The remaining balance will be invoiced later and must be paid no later than 45 days before the start of the tour.
For bookings made less than 30 days before departure, the full amount will be invoiced immediately after confirmation.

Insurance
Each participant is responsible for their own personal insurance.
We strongly recommend taking out leisure accident insurance and insurance for your photographic equipment.

Cancellation policy

If canceled between 45 and 30 days before the start of the tour, the €800 deposit will be retained.
If canceled between 30 and 14 days before the start of the tour, 50% of the total cost will be retained.
If canceled less than 14 days before the start of the tour, the full cost of the tour will be retained.

If a replacement participant can take the canceled spot, the total amount may be refunded, except for the €800 deposit.

For cancellations due to illness or accident, we highly recommend purchasing travel insurance that covers cancellations.

The organizer reserves the right to cancel the tour up to one month before the departure date.
If the tour is canceled by the organizer, all payments will be refunded in full.

Additional information
For further information or any questions, please contact us at: info@kuusamonaturephotography.fi

BOOKING

Price: € 3 950 per participant in a double room.
A deposit of €800 is required upon booking.
The remaining balance will be invoiced later and must be paid no later than 30 days before the start of the tour.

The tour is organized by Suomen Luontomatkailu Oy, a registered travel organizer approved by the Finnish Consumer Agency (Kuluttajavirasto), holding all the required financial guarantees.
Registration number: 208/24/Mj.