About The Port Of Copinsay Island
Copinsay lies just off the eastern coast of Orkney's mainland, a small, uninhabited island prized for its dramatic cliffs and thriving seabird colonies. Managed as a nature reserve, it draws visitors interested in guillemots, razorbills, and other cliff-nesting birds that gather here in great numbers. A lighthouse stands watch over the island, a reminder of the treacherous waters that surround this stretch of the Orkney coastline.
Access is typically by small boat from the Orkney mainland, making a landing here a quieter, more adventurous alternative to the archipelago's larger, more developed islands. The island's rugged terrain and open skies reward those willing to explore on foot, with sweeping views across the sea to neighboring Orkney islands. Copinsay offers a rare chance to experience Scotland's remote natural landscapes largely undisturbed by modern development.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Copinsay Island.
Scale the Seabird Cliffs
Head to the island's western cliffs where dense colonies of guillemots and razorbills nest on narrow ledges, especially lively in early summer. Sturdy footwear is essential on the uneven, grassy paths.
Hike to the Lighthouse
Follow the rough track across open moorland to the disused lighthouse for sweeping views back toward Orkney's mainland. The round trip takes roughly an hour on foot.
Scan for Seals and Seabirds Offshore
Keep watch during the short boat crossing for gray seals hauled out on skerries and puffins bobbing near the surface, a scenic bonus before setting foot on the island.
Last Minute Cruise Deals From Copinsay Island
| Departs | Cruise Line | Ship | Itinerary | Nights | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 11, 2028 | Seabourn | Seabourn Venture | 67 | $52,378 | ||
| Mar 11, 2028 | Seabourn | Seabourn Venture | 81 | $65,698 | ||
| Mar 11, 2028 | Seabourn | Seabourn Venture | 96 | $80,278 | ||
| Mar 21, 2028 | Seabourn | Seabourn Venture | 86 | $74,197 | ||
| Mar 21, 2028 | Seabourn | Seabourn Venture | 57 | $43,197 | ||
| Mar 21, 2028 | Seabourn | Seabourn Venture | 71 | $57,997 | ||
| Apr 24, 2028 | Seabourn | Seabourn Venture | 23 | $21,598 | ||
| Apr 24, 2028 | Seabourn | Seabourn Venture | 82 | $85,398 | ||
| Apr 24, 2028 | Seabourn | Seabourn Venture | 68 | $68,797 | ||
| Apr 24, 2028 | Seabourn | Seabourn Venture | 37 | $36,398 | ||
| Apr 24, 2028 | Seabourn | Seabourn Venture | 52 | $52,598 | ||
| May 6, 2028 | Seabourn | Seabourn Venture | 25 | $25,198 | ||
| May 6, 2028 | Seabourn | Seabourn Venture | 40 | $41,398 | ||
| May 6, 2028 | Seabourn | Seabourn Venture | 11 | $11,498 | ||
| May 6, 2028 | Seabourn | Seabourn Venture | 56 | $57,597 | ||
| May 6, 2028 | Seabourn | Seabourn Venture | 70 | $74,198 |
Cruise Lines That Call Here
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