About 5.5 km of Hoy Sound, a direct run of roughly 25 minutes and an adult fare of £3.45 per leg: those three numbers sum up the passenger boat from Stromness to Moaness, at the north end of Hoy. It also calls at Graemsay, the small island in between, and it carries no cars, so drivers need a different plan for Hoy.
Winter timetable effective from 28 September 2026 to 1 May 2027 (Orkney Ferries PDF dated 22 September 2026), checked against the operator's online timetable on 13 October 2026. Orkney Ferries — Graemsay and Hoy (Moaness) winter timetable 2026–27 (PDF) · 2026-10-13
The direct crossing to Moaness is timetabled at 20 to 25 minutes in the operator's online planner. Boats that call at Graemsay on the way take longer, because the small island sits off the line between Stromness and Hoy and the boat makes a short detour to reach it.
This route is the walkers' way onto Hoy. Moaness is at the island's northern tip, close to the start of the paths to Rackwick and the Old Man of Hoy, while the car ferry lands at Lyness much further south. VisitOrkney also points out that it is the only service available to anyone going to Graemsay.
Every departure starts and ends at Stromness. On weekdays there is a commuter round trip at 07:30 and a late-morning one at 10:00, which together give a full day ashore; at weekends the choice narrows to 09:30 out and 18:30 back.
There is one passenger tariff for Stromness to Graemsay and Stromness to Moaness, and the return costs double the single. Book online or by phone up to an hour before sailing, or simply turn up and settle with the crew on board, cash or card, if seats remain.
Anyone under 23 who holds Young Scot or the Scottish National Entitlement Card rides free on Orkney Ferries; the junior fare below applies to those without one.
| Adult, single | £ 3.45 |
| Adult, return | £ 6.90 |
| Junior, single | £ 1.75 |
| Senior citizen (65+), single | £ 2.60 |
| Registered disabled or blind, single | £ 2.60 |
| Under 5 | Free |
| Bicycle | Free |
Orkney Ferries' South Isles, Shapinsay and Rousay fares from 1 April 2026, the sheet the operator lists for Hoy and Graemsay; read on 13 October 2026. Orkney Ferries — South and Inner Isles fares 2026–27 (PDF) · 2026-10-13
The three piers sit in a tight triangle on the map: about four kilometres from Stromness to Graemsay, three from Graemsay to Moaness and five and a half on the direct line back to Stromness. The boat leaves the shelter of Stromness harbour and heads out into Hoy Sound, the channel between the West Mainland and the hills of Hoy.
Drivers bound for Hoy need a different crossing altogether. The vehicle ferry from Houton to Lyness and Flotta leaves Houton, on the Scapa Flow shore of the West Mainland, and lands on the island's south-east side, roughly half an hour's drive from Rackwick. Arriving in Stromness itself from the Scottish mainland is covered on the Scrabster to Stromness page.
The Hoy boat starts from the pier on Ferry Road in the middle of Stromness, a short walk from the X1 bus that links the town with Kirkwall. Orkney Ferries asks foot passengers to be ready to board ten minutes before the advertised time.
Island cargo is also loaded here, which is why the midday sailings can leave a little late.
Moaness is a plain pier on the B9047 with public toilets, including an accessible one. The Beneth'ill Café, a few minutes' walk up the road, opens in the summer months only.
There is no hire car on Hoy. A local minibus to Rackwick meets the boat if booked in advance on 01856 791 315.
VisitOrkney points walkers heading for Rackwick, the Old Man of Hoy or the Hoy hills to this boat rather than the Lyness ferry, because Moaness is at the north end where those routes begin.
A resident runs a private bus from Moaness pier to Rackwick for visitors. It has to be booked ahead on 01856 791 315.
Graemsay has quiet roads, a sandy beach at Sandside and two lighthouses that are private. VisitOrkney advises bringing enough food and drink for the whole day; the pier has one accessible toilet.
On Monday, Wednesday and Thursday the 12:00 from Stromness carries island freight. Passenger places are limited and the boat can run late while cargo is handled.
There is no fare for a bicycle. Hoy's roads are steep in places, and there is no car hire on either island.
Hoy takes its name from the Norse for 'high island', and its uninhabited interior of hill, heather and moor is home to white-tailed eagles and mountain hares, says VisitOrkney. Graemsay, by contrast, is low and farmed, with a rough coastal path for the energetic and an easy walk along its single main road for everyone else.
MV Graemsay, the boat on the run, was built at Troon in 1996 and certified for 10 knots. Orkney Ferries' service page listed the Graemsay and Moaness route as running normally on 13 October 2026.
Yes. Moaness, at the north end of Hoy, is where the walking routes to Rackwick and the Old Man start. The Lyness car ferry from Houton lands far to the south.
No. The boat takes people and bikes, not cars; residents' vehicles reach Graemsay only by prior arrangement on cargo sailings. Drivers use the Houton–Lyness vehicle ferry.
£6.90 for an adult, twice the £3.45 single, on Orkney Ferries' 2026–27 fares sheet. Under-fives and bicycles travel free.
On Saturdays and Sundays it is the 18:30. On weekdays the 18:30 from Moaness only runs on request, booked by 17:00 the same day, so the last guaranteed boat is the 16:30; on Friday a late 22:00 also runs on request.
On a weekday, take the 10:00 from Stromness, which calls at Moaness first and reaches Graemsay at 10:40, then return on the 16:15 from Graemsay, back in Stromness at 16:55 via Moaness.
Not usually: Orkney Ferries lets passengers pay on board if there is space. Booking is advised on the midday cargo runs and is required for every on-request sailing.
The operator's online planner, checked in mid-October 2026, offered nothing on the two Christmas holidays or the two New Year ones. Christmas Eve and Hogmanay fall on Thursdays and keep the normal Thursday boats.