First of all, never underestimate the power of the ocean! The wind conditions and currents on the Faroe Islands are very changeable and incredibly powerful. Therefore, it is essential to be up to date with conditions before you choose a location for diving.

The wind often causes swells, the effects of which must be respected, and currents are local and hard to assess. Always speak to people with local knowledge of the area. Contact them if experienced divers or the authorities do not know the diving conditions.

According to the legislation, collecting artefacts from the ocean is illegal. Artefacts are things with archaeological, cultural, or historical value, such as shipwrecks, aeroplanes, cargo, or parts of any of these.

For further information, please contact the National Museum. Always be cautious with everything beneath the ocean’s surface. Look, don’t touch!

It is essential to be aware of and follow the safety rules regarding diving in the Faroe Islands. Make sure you are well informed beforehand.

Before embarking on any diving activities in the Faroe Islands, it is important to consider the unpredictable and forceful nature of the ocean's wind and currents. We advise you to research these conditions beforehand thoroughly. The wind often causes swells, the effects of which must be respected, and currents are local and hard to assess. Always speak to people with local knowledge of the area. If locals do not know diving conditions, contact experienced divers or the authorities for information.

GUIDELINES

• Never dive alone
• Bring warm undergarment clothing, such as a fleece or wool sweater and pants, warm socks, and a change of clothing.
• We recommend that a diving instructor or leader with local knowledge join each dive. The dive leader should be accredited as a dive leader, e.g., as a “Divemaster,” and have completed a first aid course.
• Buoyancy compensator Devices (BCDs) must be used.
• Divers should be experienced and certified as qualified, e.g. as Open Water Divers. This certification can be obtained during a stay in the Faroe Islands.
• Divers should be in good health. Diving should not be undertaken under the influence of alcohol or medication. Maintain your diving skills and aim to improve them with training. Practice these skills under controlled conditions if you have not been diving for a while.
• Only participate in diving activities according to your skills and experience. If diving conditions are too complex for a diver’s level of competence, the dive should be postponed, or a more suitable place to dive should be found.
• If diving from a boat, buoys or other aids should be used as far as possible on the surface.
• Be aware of and follow local diving, fishing, and catch regulations, heritage regulations and conditions concerning the use of diving flags.

HEALTH INSURANCE

Citizens of the Nordic countries and Great Britain are covered by their respective national health insurance schemes while in the Faroe Islands. Citizens of other countries must take out travel insurance that covers medical expenses. We recommend you find out whether your national health scheme covers diving accidents.

PHARMACIES

Medicines can be collected from pharmacies in Tórshavn, Runavík, Klaksvík and Tvøroyri. For further information, please see contact Regional Information Centres.

HOSPITALS

There are hospitals in Tórshavn, Klaksvík and Tvøroyri. There are doctors’ surgeries on the islands.

RESCUE OPERATIONS

In case of accidents at sea requiring urgent assistance, call 112. Search and rescue operations at sea are coordinated by the rescue service MRCC Tórshavn. If a significant diving activity occurs in deep water, contact MRCC Tórshavn to give advanced warning on tel. (+298) 35 13 00.

EMERGENCY ON LAND

Call 112 in an emergency on land wherever you are in the country. When diving injuries require treatment in a pressure chamber, the diver is transported to Tórshavn.

AIR TANK REFILLING

When diving with apparatus, only use approved, tested and regulation-marked tanks. If these conditions are not met or the tank has not been pressure tested within the previous five years, it will not be filled at tank refilling stations.

LIFE JACKETS

By law, every boat is required to have at least one approved life jacket per person. Divers may use their BCDs.

CERTIFICATES

You can qualify for a diving certificate during your stay in the Faroe Islands. See the page with diving instructors for more information. Diving instructors can also be hired as diving leaders.

DIVING BANS

Skin diving may not take place near fish farms. There should be a distance of at least 1 kilometre from the fish farms to the location of skin diving.

UNDERWATER HUNTING

We recommend using harpoons, hand spears, or harpoon spears equipped with only one spear for underwater hunting.