Fees · Destination Guide
Shetland Islands
Cold-water wrecks, cathedral caves and clear North Atlantic light
Key fee: Shetland visitor levy
No levy in force as of 2026-09-05
Fees · Destination Guide
Cold-water wrecks, cathedral caves and clear North Atlantic light
Key fee: Shetland visitor levy
No levy in force as of 2026-09-05
Confirm these fees before you book so your operator plan and day budget match what you will pay onsite.
Shetland had no destination-wide visitor levy or general recreational marine-park tag in force at the research date. Costs and permissions are instead site-specific: overseas travelers may need a UK ETA, harbor dives require notification and some protected wreck activities require a licence or strict no-disturbance compliance. The legal status of an underwater site can change, so the charter should verify it against current Shetland Islands Council, Historic Environment Scotland, Marine Directorate and Ministry of Defence guidance.
| Fee | Amount | Applies to | Where to pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shetland visitor levy | No levy in force as of 2026-09-05 Current status at the research date | Overnight visitors | Not applicable | Shetland Islands Council states that it has not decided to introduce a levy and that any future scheme would not take effect before 2027. Recheck when booking a later trip. |
| Destination-wide recreational dive tag | No general tag identified Not applicable | Ordinary recreational diving outside site-specific controls | Not applicable | Shetland does not use a Bonaire-style marine-park tag. Harbor, historic-wreck and military-site requirements still apply. |
| Shetland Islands Council harbor dive notification | No standard fee stated Per diving operation | Diving operations in Shetland Islands Council port or harbor areas | Where to pay | Submit the official Dive Notification Form and obtain approval before the operation. Where an exclusion zone is required, the council specifies at least 7 days' notice. |
| Protected wreck or controlled-site licence | No standard public fee stated Typically 6 months to 1 year when a licence is required and granted | Activities at legally protected wrecks where the current designation requires a visitor, survey, recovery or excavation licence | Where to pay | Requirements depend on the legal designation. Shetland's Historic Marine Protected Areas encourage non-disturbing diving but prohibit removal, while other protected or controlled sites may require a licence. Confirm the current rule for the exact coordinates. |
| United Kingdom Electronic Travel Authorisation | GBP 20 According to the ETA issued and current UK rules | Eligible travelers who require an ETA rather than a visa | Where to pay | Each traveler, including a child, needs an individual ETA. An ETA permits travel for qualifying visits of up to 6 months but does not guarantee entry. |
Fee
Current status at the research date
Shetland Islands Council states that it has not decided to introduce a levy and that any future scheme would not take effect before 2027. Recheck when booking a later trip.
Not applicable
Shetland does not use a Bonaire-style marine-park tag. Harbor, historic-wreck and military-site requirements still apply.
Per diving operation
Submit the official Dive Notification Form and obtain approval before the operation. Where an exclusion zone is required, the council specifies at least 7 days' notice.
Typically 6 months to 1 year when a licence is required and granted
Requirements depend on the legal designation. Shetland's Historic Marine Protected Areas encourage non-disturbing diving but prohibit removal, while other protected or controlled sites may require a licence. Confirm the current rule for the exact coordinates.
According to the ETA issued and current UK rules
Each traveler, including a child, needs an individual ETA. An ETA permits travel for qualifying visits of up to 6 months but does not guarantee entry.