Cava, Orkney Island
Small uninhabited Orkney island with archaeological remains
A small Orkney island off Scotland's northern coast, Cava attracts wildlife watchers, archaeologists and visitors arriving by private boat to explore coastal cliffs and scattered archaeological remains.
Cava, Orkney at a Glance#
About Cava, Orkney#
Cava is a small, uninhabited island in the Orkney archipelago, off the north coast of Scotland. It lies close to other islands in the Rousay Sound and is part of the archipelago’s complex island group.
The island has a mix of rocky shoreline and small grassed areas and is visited occasionally for wildlife observation and archaeological interest. There are no public facilities on the island and any landing is informal.
Cava sits between Mainland Orkney and the islands to the north in Rousay Sound, reachable only by boat from nearby inhabited islands or Mainland Orkney.
- Access considerations: Uninhabited and small in area, visits are usually by private boat from neighbouring islands and care should be taken with tidal conditions.
How to Get to Cava, Orkney#
Cava is reached by private boat or charter from nearby islands such as Rousay or from the Orkney mainland. There are no regular ferry services; visitors should arrange landing with local operators and be prepared for simple shore landings.
Tips for Visiting Cava, Orkney#
- Boat access is necessary - coordinate with local operators from nearby islands (Rousay or mainland Orkney) for landing spots.
- Respect grazing land and stay on established paths; many small Orkney islands are working farmland.
- Bring binoculars for seabird and seal spotting; Cava's coasts are quiet and rich in wildlife.
Best Time to Visit Cava, Orkney#
Best visited late spring through summer when small boat crossings are more reliable.
Weather & Climate near Cava, Orkney#
Continental climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 2°C to 15°C. Abundant rainfall (1053 mm/year), wettest in November.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 3° - 7° | 0° | 109 mm | overcast | 83% | 7.4 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.9h |
| February | Poor | 2° - 6° | 0° | 84 mm | overcast | 83% | 7.1 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.1h |
| March | Poor | 3° - 7° | 0° | 95 mm | overcast | 83% | 7.0 m/s | 0.2 low | 11.6h |
| April | Poor | 4° - 8° | 2° | 64 mm | overcast | 84% | 6.2 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 14.2h |
| May | Acceptable | 6° - 11° | 5° | 53 mm | overcast | 84% | 5.5 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 16.6h |
| June | Acceptable | 8° - 13° | 10° | 54 mm | overcast | 85% | 5.2 m/s | 1.1 high | 17.9h |
| July | Acceptable | 10° - 14° | 12° | 62 mm | overcast | 86% | 4.8 m/s | 1.1 high | 17.2h |
| August | Acceptable | 10° - 15° | 13° | 74 mm | overcast | 86% | 4.9 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 15.1h |
| September | Acceptable | 9° - 13° | 11° | 99 mm | overcast | 85% | 5.8 m/s | 0.4 low | 12.6h |
| October | Poor | 7° - 11° | 6° | 117 mm | overcast | 84% | 6.5 m/s | 0.2 low | 10.0h |
| November | Poor | 5° - 9° | 3° | 126 mm | overcast | 84% | 6.8 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.6h |
| December | Poor | 3° - 8° | 1° | 116 mm | overcast | 83% | 6.9 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.2h |
