Føroya Sjósavn: Explore the wonders of the Faroese seas

Set against the waterscapes of Tórshavn, Føroya Sjósavn offers a window into the vibrant marine life of the Faroe Islands. With plans to expand into a state-of-the-art facility by 2028, Arctic Oceanarium is set to become a powerhouse for marine education, local engagement, and tourism. Emphasising connection with nature, Føroya Sjósavn aspires to immerse visitors, especially children, in the wonders of the sea.

The Faroe Islands is home to an astonishing variety of marine life, from local cod and herring to the elusive Greenland shark and the very rare porbeagle shark, one of the largest of its kind in the world. The area, where 99 per cent of the landmass is ocean and just one per cent is land, relies heavily on the sea, not only as a source of livelihood but also as a deep-rooted cultural symbol.

“Marine biodiversity has been a cornerstone of Faroese society for centuries. The sea is woven into identity through songs, folklore, and literature; it’s a part of who we are,” says Heini Hátún, director of Føroya Sjósavn/Arctic Oceanarium.

At the heart of the new Arctic Oceanarium is a vision to create a space where Faroese and international visitors alike can connect with the rich marine ecosystem. The new oceanarium will be 2,230 square metres, with an extraordinary central tank extending through the building’s roof. It will be designed to bring visitors as close to the marine environment as possible, with natural light filtering through an open ceiling. The open-roof design allows visitors to look down into the tank. “We want people to feel like they’re at the edge of the ocean, watching life beneath the surface,” explains Hátún.

Powerhouse for knowledge

The expansion will hopefully be completed in 2028 and will be much more than an aquarium. “We envision it as a powerhouse and a bit of a landmark for Faroese tourism,” says Hátún. “Our location is close to the beach and the ocean so bio safaris and other excursions will be easily accessible. There are so many things to explore along the coast and in the depths, which is central to attracting biologists and other professionals as well as tourists.”

The new design will bring the sea up close with large aquariums in various shapes that allows you to feel immersed in marine life without the need for excessive technology. “It will be a space to disconnect from screens and reconnect with nature. When you enter, you will want to put down your phone, sit back, and just watch the fish, whether it be jellyfish or other deep-sea creatures,” says Hátún.

There are also hopes to house the herring shark porbeagle shark in the new facilities, as this is one of the approximately 250 fish species in the Faroe Islands, many of which you will be able to see at the new Arctic Oceanarium.

A space for marine curiosity

The centre will also feature a café and educational spaces where school groups can gain hands-on marine knowledge. Arctic Oceanarium wishes to inspire children through hands-on experiences and education. “Children already love our small but lively aquarium, which currently sees around 14,000 visitors each year, of which 3,000-4,000 are children. They love that they get a chance to see the ocean’s wonders up close,” smiles Hátún.

The new facilities will incorporate spaces dedicated to school groups and educational workshops. This includes classrooms and experiment stations to engage and get the children curious about the rich marine life of the Faroe Islands. “Our job is to help preserve both nature and our connection to it. To help children understand how deeply the sea shapes our lives here in the Faroe Islands,” says Hátún.

Faroese connection to the ocean

With its rugged landscape and rich marine life, the Faroe Islands is a perfect location for an aquarium of this scale and significance. Surrounded by diving and kayaking clubs, Arctic Oceanarium will be an ideal gathering point and an opportunity to collaborate with like-minded people. “Our vision is to create a space where visitors can connect with the ocean and foster an interest in nature. If we don’t maintain this connection, we won’t realise the importance of preserving nature,” adds Hátún.

The new oceanarium will be a place to explore, celebrate, and honour the waters of the Faroe Islands and the rich marine life that exists here.

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