Svínoy Island

Svínoy Island is a remote outpost in the northeastern part of the wild Faroe Islands. There is only one village on the island, which bears the name of the island.

Havnartindur is the highest mountain on the island, at 586 metres (1922 feet) above sea level. The mountain’s name translates directly to “the Harbour Peak”.

The people of Svínoy Island make a living mostly as fishermen. There are also sheep farmers on the island, and sheep roam freely.

People visit Svínoy Island to feel the remoteness. Life is slow paced, far away from the hustle and bustle of urban life. There is really nothing you can run late to on the island, except for the ferry back to the mainland.

Getting to Svínoy Island

The only way to get to Svínoy Island is by ferry or private boat. The passenger ferry, Ritan, departs from the village Hvannasund on Viðoy Island. It takes 30 minutes to reach the island. Afterwards, it continues to the neighbouring Fugloy Island.

Sailing between the islands along the steep mountains is a beautiful experience. Even if you don’t have time to stop on Svínoy Island or Fugloy Island, the journey is worth the effort.

The public transport company SSL operates the ferry. Here you will find the ferry timetable for Ritan. The ferry seats around 100 people. It’s not a crowded route, so there are always available seats on the ferry. Buy your ticket onboard the ferry once you embark.

When you disembark the ferry and step on land, you will be a 20-minute walk from the village. There is no bus on the island or other transport options, so walking is your only option. The walk is easy with almost no elevation gain.

Svínoy Island is remote and only few travellers visit this outpost. There is no grocery store on the island, so remember to bring what you need for your stay.

Svínoy Island on a Map

You can see Svínoy Island on the map of the Faroe Islands located as the second-most easterly island in the archipelago.

Mads Fyllgraf

Mads Fyllgraf is an adventurous explorer, photographer, and videographer. Born in western Jylland in Denmark, the fresh waves hitting the shore and the winds blowing in from the north, has seen him indulge in the Faroe Islands. Mads holds a Bachelor in International Hospitality Management and has years of experiences from the outdoor recreation sector.

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