STRAIT · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND CHARTERERS
The Pentland Firth
The Pentland Firth separates Orkney from mainland Scotland and has some of the strongest tidal streams in Europe. On Rotterdam to Reykjavik it saves 9 nm: 1,178 nm through it, 1,187 nm without.
Voyages through the Pentland Firth
Real voyages NaviBoss plans through the Pentland Firth, and the distance when the planner's padlock shuts it.
| Voyage | Through it | Without it | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rotterdam to Reykjavik | 1,178 nm | 1,187 nm | +9 nm |
Zones here
At the Pentland Firth: North Sea SOx+NOx ECA (Emission Control Area), Western European Waters (PSSA) (Particularly Sensitive Sea Area), North Sea (MARPOL Annex V Special Area) (MARPOL Special Area) and NW European waters (MARPOL Special Area) (MARPOL Special Area).
See the piracy map and the ECA guide.
Navigational warnings
The Pentland Firth is in NAVAREA I. Keep its in-force warnings, and check the local notices and the vessel traffic service before the transit.
Questions about the Pentland Firth
Where is the Pentland Firth?
The Pentland Firth separates Orkney from mainland Scotland and has some of the strongest tidal streams in Europe. NaviBoss places it at about 58°41.4′N 003°00.9′W, in NAVAREA I.
How much distance does the Pentland Firth save?
On Rotterdam to Reykjavik, 9 nm: 1,178 nm through the Pentland Firth against 1,187 nm without it. At 14 knots that is about 0.0 days.
Which voyages go through the Pentland Firth?
For example Rotterdam to Reykjavik.
Is the Pentland Firth in a piracy or war-risk area?
Not as of the date on this page: it lies in no ITF/IBF warlike area, JWC listed area or piracy hotspot that NaviBoss draws.
Other canals and straits
- Suez Canal
- Panama Canal
- Kiel Canal
- Corinth Canal
- Strait of Gibraltar
- Strait of Dover
- Bab el-Mandeb
- Strait of Hormuz
- Malacca Strait
- Singapore Strait
- Sunda Strait
- Makassar Strait
- Torres Strait
- Taiwan Strait
- Tsugaru Strait
- Bosporus
- Dardanelles
- Øresund (The Sound)
- Strait of Messina
- Strait of Sicily
- Strait of Bonifacio
- Cape of Good Hope
- Strait of Magellan
- Bass Strait
- Windward Passage
- Straits of Florida
- Strait of Juan de Fuca
- San Bernardino Strait
- Verde Island Passage
- Balabac Strait
Avoid it on your own voyage
In the planner, tap the padlock on the Pentland Firth (or any of 950 passages) and the route is re-planned the other way, with the extra miles shown. Free with an account.
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NaviBoss guides are written and checked by maritime industry experts, masters and deck officers. Each one is built from the same data the planner uses, dated, and rebuilt when that data changes. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.
A planning aid, not for navigation. Check official charts and publications, the latest notices and your company's instructions before you rely on any figure here.