Recent Searches
Clear
Close

Orkney Islands Day Trip from John O'Groats

star-4.5320 Reviews
|
Badge of Excellence
|
John o' Groats, United Kingdom
Orkney Islands Day Trip from John O'Groats
See More
See More
Orkney Islands Day Trip from John O'Groats
Ring of Brodgar, Orkney
St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, Orkney
See More

From $97.51

Lowest Price Guarantee

Select Date and Travelers

Number of travelers
0 Adults1 Adult2 Adults3 Adults4 Adults5 Adults6 Adults7 Adults8 Adults9 Adults10 Adults11 Adults12 Adults13 Adults14 Adults15 Adults0 Children1 Child2 Children3 Children4 Children5 Children6 Children7 Children8 Children9 Children10 Children11 Children12 Children13 Children14 Children15 Children0 Infants1 Infant2 Infants3 Infants4 Infants5 Infants6 Infants7 Infants8 Infants9 Infants10 Infants11 Infants12 Infants13 Infants14 Infants15 Infants
Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours in advance. Learn more
Loading available options...
Safety measures
icon10 hours  (approx.)
Mobile ticket
iconOffered in: English

Overview

Escape the mainland for a full-day tour of the far-flung Orkney Islands from John O’Groats. Journey by ferry across the Pentland Firth to the Orkney archipelago, bursting with postcard-perfect natural vistas and mystical landmarks. With a local guide, cruise along the Churchill Barriers to visit villages steeped in Viking mystery like 5,000-year-old Skara Brae and landmarks like the Lamb Holm Italian Chapel and St. Magnus Cathedral.
  • Day trip from John O’Groats to the Orkney Islands
  • Cross the Churchill Barriers
  • Ferry boat ride across Pentland Firth
  • Watch for seals and whales
  • Visit the villages of Stromness and Skara Brae
Saved to wishlist!

From $97.51

Lowest Price Guarantee
Book Now
Ferry crossing
English speaking guide
Transport by coach
Entrance fee to Skara Brae (stoneage village)
Optional gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop off
Food and drinks, unless specified
Entrance fee to Italian chapel
John o' Groats Harbour , Unnamed Road, John o' Groats, Wick KW1 4YR, UK
Open in Google Maps

Board MV Pentland Venture (ferry) at the harbour. Last boarding 8.40am.

8:45 AM
This activity will end right where it started.
Your trip through the Orkney Islands begins in John O'Groats Harbor, where you set off by ferry in the morning across the Pentland Firth to port in Burwick. After your cruise, transfer to a comfortable coach for a guided tour of remarkable local attractions.

Savor unspoiled scenery as you travel along the Churchill Barriers (the extensive island causeway system). Hug the Scapa Flow (meaning ‘bay of the long isthmus’ in Old Norse), where you may spot swooping seabirds, bobbing seals and whales. Stop in Stromness, the last port of all before the Americas, and Kirkwall to see the lovely St. Magnus Cathedral—nearly a millennia old! 

Soak up mysterious Viking history as you visit ancient monuments including prehistoric standing stones, tombs and the more than 5,000-year-old village of Skara Brae. Cap your day with a stop at the famous Italian Chapel, built during WWII by Italian prisoners of war. Admire the beauty and ingenuity of the chapel, made of only basic raw materials, then re-board your coach for the ride back to port.

Your tour concludes back at John o’Groats Harbor in the evening.
Itinerary
Stop At:  
John O'Groats Ferries
Depart from John O'Groats on the ferry. Shortest sea crossing, only 40 mins to Orkney Islands. Look out for wildlife on the way even orcas if you are lucky and puffins. Luxury coach awaits you on Orkney. Enjoy a guided tour of the islands.
... MoreLess
Duration: 40 minutes
Admission Ticket Free
Stop At:  
Skara Brae
An amazing 5000 year old stoneage village older than the pyramids part of Orkney's World Heritage Site. Only discovered 150 years ago. Entry payable by card at site.
... MoreLess
Duration: 1 hour 
Admission Ticket Included
Stop At:  
The Italian Chapel
See the beautiful Italian Chapel, built by Italian prisoners of war using basic materials.
... MoreLess
Duration: 15 minutes
Admission Ticket Not Included
Stop At:  
Saint Magnus Cathedral
Visit the town of Kirkwall with its magnificent Cathedral. See also shops, harbour and museum.
... MoreLess
Duration: 1 hour 
Admission Ticket Free
Stop At:  
Ring of Brodgar
See the mystical Ring of Brodgar, an impressive stone circle.
... MoreLess
Duration: 30 minutes
Admission Ticket Free
Pass By:  
Standing Stones of Stenness
Small group of standing stones.
... MoreLess
Pass By:  
Scapa Flow
Drive round Scapa Flow, home to the Grand Fleet during the wars. See the block ships as you cross the Churchill Barriers.
... MoreLess
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Most travelers can participate
  • Sorry no dogs on tour
  • Tour returns 6.15pm to John O'Groats
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 40 travelers
  • OPERATED BY John O'Groats Ferries
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Learn more about cancellations.

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What is the policy on sanitization during Orkney Islands Day Trip from John O'Groats?
A:The policies on sanitization are:

  • Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
  • Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
  • Gear/equipment sanitized between use
  • Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
See all safety measures taken by Orkney Islands Day Trip from John O'Groats.

Traveler Photos

See More
See More

Traveler Tips

  • "There are plenty of stops along the way too, sobit breaks up the day." See review
  • "The passenger ferry runs like clockwork and the crossing takes about 40 minutes." See review

Reviews by Viator travelers.  We perform checks on reviews

Reviews

4.5
star-4.5
320 Reviews
5 stars
251
4 stars
51
3 stars
9
2 stars
3
1 star
6

Reviews by Viator travelers

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 320 reviews
star-3
Not worth the money!
Debbie_G
, Aug 2022
Very expensive to be dropped off in places for an hour plus, with nothing to see apart from shops. Skara Brae Prehistoric Village was amazing, so would have liked much longer here. Coach driver needed to calm down (traffic, babies, other drivers etc).
... MoreLess
star-5
a grand day out
Christa_V
, Aug 2022
we got a lot of information, saw many different sites, had enough tim to go exploring a bit, a great tour guide Darren.
... MoreLess
star-5
Not what I thought!
Lynn_B
, Aug 2022
Liked the whole experience, even though we had terrible weather. I didn’t know what to expect but Orkney was a pleasant surprise. All the staff were very helpful and friendly.
... MoreLess
star-5
Magically delightful.
Dan_F
, Aug 2022
This day trip to Orkney was fast, furious, and extremely enjoyable. Our driver was passionate, knowledgeable, and courteous. I loved standing where families flourished 7,000 years ago. The islands were magical in every way.
... MoreLess
star-5
Well worth it!
Rachel_C
, Jul 2022
Mike the coach driver was brilliant as he lives on Orkney he was a wealth of extra information Scapa Flow and Scara Brae were my personak highlights but seeing a hen harrier was magical
... MoreLess
star-5
The best way to see Orkney
COLINANDREW_M
, Jul 2022
Great trip at good pace. Driver and guide Darren was superb. Good detail and with excellent rapport. Visited all the best bits of the island and had plenty of time to view.
... MoreLess
star-4
Unforgettable history
Rochelle_B
, Jul 2022
Seeing Skara Brae was fantastic, a little more time here would have been great. We spent time in both Kirkwall and Stromness and really you could just do one and not the other.
... MoreLess
star-5
Wonderful dayout
Gill_M
, Jul 2022
Seeing puffins and lotsof other birds as we went over on the ferry Having a very good coach driver who was very knowledgable of the island Excellent efficiency and packing as much into the day as possible
... MoreLess
star-5
A great trip, definitely recommend
Karen_P
, Jul 2022
Skara Brae was stunning; the stone circle and standing stones intriguing; Kirkwall was surprising with St Magnus Cathedral and the Bishop and Earl Palace both a must see (and there was a good coffee at The Daily Scoop nearby); Scapa Flow and the Churchill barriers really interesting; and we had great commentary by our guide. The ferry trip to and from Orkney also really enjoyable and easy parking at JoG with our Motorhome. It rained a lot but it didn’t matter, we had a great trip and want to go back again. We don’t usually do guided tours but definitely recommend this one.
... MoreLess
star-4
Great trip well worth the time
Tim_V
, Jul 2022
Good experience, if you make it to John Ogroats you really owe to yourself to go to Orkney. Good coach, pleasant driver, enough time at each stop. Well worth the trip. Recommended.
... MoreLess
star-5
Knowledgeable driver.
Janice_B
, Jul 2022
Loved it, what a beautiful island. Darren was a great guide/driver. His jokes made me laugh and his knowledge was second to none.
... MoreLess
star-5
Excellent day trip
Gordon_P
, Jul 2022
Excellent day. The ferry journey was lovely and our bus driver/ guide (Darren) was excellent. He was entertaining, knowledgeable and helpful We enjoyed all the sites we visited, particularly Skara Brae
... MoreLess
star-5
Well worth a visit
Lisa_W
, Jul 2022
We had done the tour of orkneys, did feel though it would of been better to have more time to spend here rather than some of the other stops as it was a bit rushed, we did enjoy our visit though, interesting place!
... MoreLess
star-5
Recommend it
Ciarar_o
, Jul 2022
Really enjoyed the trip. Driver was very knowledgeable and a great storyteller. We were very lucky with the weather as it only rained for a beer inside the bus. Really great trip great value for money.
... MoreLess
star-5
Fantastic day trip to the Orkney Isles
sandicalton
, Jun 2022
The whole trip was amazing! Weather was really good so managed to appreciate all the sights. Coach driver was very informative and knowledgeable of the Isles. Boat crossings were a bit rough but was to be expected. Would definitely recommend this trip
... MoreLess
star-5
Would definitely recommend this trip
Margaret_M
, Jun 2022
Our guide Darren could not have done more to make this excursion a worthwhile trip. The weather was beautiful and it felt as if we spent very little time on the coach.
... MoreLess
star-5
Amazing expierence
Violeta_B
, Jun 2022
All trip was nice, thanks for ferry staff and friendly driver. He told lots of nice history's about Orkney.
... MoreLess
star-3
Trip to see Chapel
Carol_M
, Jun 2022
Italian Chapel which really was what We wanted to see. Towns were not that memorable. Slats Brae was good. Coach driver/guide was excellent.
... MoreLess
star-5
Worth a go
Jiann_L
, Jun 2022
Value for money, humourous tour guide, important places are covered, itinerary is appropriately timed
... MoreLess
star-5
Orkney is beautiful
Doreen_M
, Jun 2022
The Italian Chapel. It was beautiful. Orkney Island was lovely and clean. The trip was very interesting..
... MoreLess
Why you are seeing these recommendations

Compare Similar Experiences

Current
Orkney Islands Day Trip from John O'Groats
Orkney Islands Day Trip from John O'Groats
star-4.5319
10 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$97.51
Taxi & Private Hire (Executive Minibus)
star-53
7 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$106.98
Wildlife Cruise from John O'Groats
star-4.565
1 hour 30 minutes
Free Cancellation
From
$24.69
Likely to Sell Out
Highland Whisky Experience
star-53
8 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$339.43
Why you are seeing these recommendations

Explore Similar Things to Do

Private and LuxuryBus ToursWater ToursDay CruisesFull-day ToursDay TripsCruises, Sailing & Water ToursDay Trips & ExcursionsLuxury & Special OccasionsTours & SightseeingThe Scottish HighlandsPrivate and Luxury - InvernessBus Tours - InvernessWater Tours - InvernessDay Cruises - InvernessFull-day Tours - InvernessDay Trips - InvernessPrivate and Luxury - Northeast ScotlandBus Tours - Northeast ScotlandWater Tours - Northeast ScotlandDay Cruises - Northeast ScotlandFull-day Tours - Northeast ScotlandDay Trips - Northeast ScotlandPrivate and Luxury - North East EnglandBus Tours - North East EnglandWater Tours - North East EnglandDay Cruises - North East EnglandFull-day Tours - North East EnglandDay Trips - North East EnglandCategory

Attractions in The Scottish Highlands

Skara Brae Tours & TicketsWhin Park Tours & TicketsGlen Ord Distillery Tours & TicketsCallanish Standing Stones Tours & TicketsTrotternish Ridge Tours & TicketsInverewe (Inverewe Garden & Estate) Tours & TicketsFort Augustus Tours & TicketsOld High Church (Old High St. Stephen’s) Tours & TicketsJacobite Steam Train Tours & TicketsBeinn Eighe National Nature Reserve Tours & TicketsRiver Ness (Abhainn Nis) Tours & TicketsBannockburn Tours & TicketsInveraray Jail Tours & TicketsMaeshowe Chambered Cairn Tours & TicketsFort George Tours & TicketsIsle of Islay Tours & TicketsSt. Magnus Cathedral Tours & TicketsStrathmashie Forest Tours & TicketsFairy Glen (Faerie Glen) Tours & TicketsEilean Donan Castle Tours & Tickets
Why you are seeing these recommendations