Diving in Scapa Flow, Orkney
Why dive here
Scapa Flow, Orkney offers some of United Kingdom's richest diving, with 140+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue whales, dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and ocean sunfish (mola mola). Water sits around 8°C.
Scapa Flow isn't just diving, it’s a journey through time. We’re talking about the scuttled German High Seas Fleet from 1919 - this isn't some scattered debris, these are massive battleships and cruisers, largely intact. Dropping down onto the *SMS Brummer* or the *SMS Coln*, you feel the sheer scale of these wrecks immediately. The metal structures loom out of the green gloom, often adorned with plumose anemones, and you’ll pass through gaping shell holes or into vast, empty holds. Visibility can swing wildly, but when it's good, seeing these giants emerge is incredible. We love the feeling of the history pressing in on you. It’s a cold dive, so drysuits are non-negotiable, and a good dive guide is essential to navigate the wrecks and currents. The sheer number of sites means you could spend weeks here and still not see it all. Our favourite time to visit is late spring, when the weather starts to settle but before the summer crowds, though "crowds" is a relative term here. It's a deep, dark, and utterly compelling experience.
Scapa Flow, Orkney Dive Site Map
Dive sites and dive centres in Scapa Flow, Orkney
Scapa Flow, Orkney Dive Sites
1,031 dive sites in Scapa Flow, Orkney
090
The 090 wreck in Scapa Flow lies at 26 metres, an old workboat now classified as dangerous, but still a compelling dive. You'll find a sturdy hull, largely intact, providing plenty of nooks for exploration. Wrasse dart through the structure, and the metalwork offers a good home for various anemones. This site is best for divers who enjoy a robust wreck in a historically rich area.
AASE
The AASE sits at 60 metres, a deep dive suitable for experienced wreck enthusiasts. This steamship went down in 1928, and while she's a non-dangerous wreck, the depth and potential for currents around Brims Ness mean you need to be on your game. We've found her bow mostly intact, with a clear outline of the forecastle area, though much of the superstructure has collapsed. Look for conger eels hiding in the cargo holds and decent-sized wrasse patrolling the decks. Visibility can be a challenge, so pick your day carefully, but when it’s good, the sheer scale of the wreck at this depth is impressive.
ABERDEEN CITY
The Aberdeen City isn't about depth, it's about sheer accessibility and atmosphere. At just five metres, this trawler wreck is practically begging for a long, leisurely dive, perfect for any skill level or if you just fancy stretching a cylinder. We love how the shallow depth paints the wreck in natural light, often a murky green, giving it a wonderfully eerie feel as you descend onto the main deck. Her wheelhouse is our favourite feature, still mostly intact, inviting you to peer inside and imagine the last moments before she settled in 1963. You can swim the length of her, picking out the winch gear, feeling the cool metal under your fingertips. The superstructure is now home to a surprising amount of life, little crabs scuttling over corroded plates, and we’ve often seen inquisitive ballan wrasse darting in and out of the open holds. It’s a proper Scapa Flow wreck experience, just without the decompression obligations. A great afternoon dive after a deeper morning run, or simply an ideal spot for practicing your wreck penetration skills in well-lit, shallow conditions.
AC6
AC6, one of Scapa Flow's many blockships, offers a surprisingly compelling shallow dive. This old Metal Industries Ltd barge, intentionally scuttled, now sits just 5 metres deep, making it perfect for newer divers or those looking for a longer bottom time. The wreck itself is reasonably intact, with some interesting nooks and crannies to peer into, though penetration isn't really the point here. We’ve spotted plenty of inquisitive wrasse darting through the rusted metal, and the occasional curious seal sometimes pops by for a look. It’s a great way to experience a piece of Scapa’s history without the demands of the deeper fleet wrecks.
ACHILLES
Achilles, oh, Achilles. This isn't one of Scapa's colossal German battleships, and honestly, we love it for that. She's a fishing vessel, sunk back in 1970, and resting upright at a neat 32 metres. The story goes a rope fouled her propeller near Whiten Head, and down she went. What makes her a standout for us isn't the history lesson, but the sheer diveability. You drop onto her deck and immediately feel that cool, low-vis Scapa embrace. Forget sprawling over miles of deck; Achilles is compact, coherent. You can make a full circuit, poking into her wheelhouse, peering down into the fish hold where light filters in green and spooky. The stern, with its prominent propeller and rudder, is always our favourite part. It’s a proper wreck dive, intimate and explorable, without the deco commitment of the big boys. This wreck is absolutely coated in life. Dead man's fingers drape everywhere, anemones bloom from every surface, and if you bring a torch, you'll spot crabs scuttling in the shadows. The local wrasse population treats Achilles like their personal playground, darting between the decaying superstructure. It's a fantastic second dive, perfect for refining your wreck skills or just soaking in the atmosphere without feeling rushed. We'd suggest aiming for slack water, always a good call in Scapa, to really take your time navigating her decks.
ACTIVE
The *Active* in Scapa Flow isn't just another wreck; it's a piece of raw history, resting upright at 42 metres. We love how intact she remains, a substantial trawler, torpedoed by German aircraft in 1939. Dropping down, you start to make out the ghostly outline, gradually resolving into deck gear, winches, and the superstructure still largely in place. Exploring her feels like stepping back in time, with the vast, dark water pressing in around you. Our favourite part is the penetration into the wheelhouse, if conditions allow, where you can still feel the palpable sense of its last moments. It's a proper wreck dive, perfect for those comfortable with deeper sites and the chill of northern waters. You’ll see plenty of squat lobsters tucked into every crevice, and plumose anemones bloom from the steelwork, adding splashes of white against the rust. Keep an eye out for curious dogfish cruising the perimeter. This is a dive for history buffs and wreck enthusiasts who appreciate a sombre, atmospheric experience.
Aith Baa
Ras el-Millan offers a solid Red Sea coral dive, with good opportunities to spot Brown-spotted Groupers tucked into crevices and Studded Pufferfish cruising the reef. We've occasionally seen bottlenose dolphins here, a real treat when they pass through. It’s a good choice for divers looking for a relaxed, straightforward dive in Sharm.
ALABAMA
The *Alabama*, just shy of 115 metres long, is one of Scapa Flow's shallower giants, lying on her port side at a friendly 12 metres. This isn't just a jumble of twisted metal; you get a real sense of her scale here. We love exploring the stern, especially around the massive prop and rudder. The boilers are still very much in place, impressive even after all these years, and a swim-through takes you past the engine room, a tight but rewarding squeeze. What makes the *Alabama* a standout is how accessible she is, even for newer wreck divers. Visibility can be superb, letting you appreciate the sheer length of her hull, now a vibrant canvas of plumose anemones, dead man's fingers, and kelp. Look for the wolfish that often lurk in the shadowed nooks and crannies. We’d suggest diving this one on a slack tide, giving you ample time to really pick through the details without fighting a current. It’s a proper Scapa wreck, just without the deep commitments, perfect for an afternoon exploration.
ALCORA (POSSIBLY)
The Alcora, or what we believe to be the Alcora, holds a spot for us in Scapa Flow. It’s a good 40-metre dive, sitting upright and mostly intact on the seabed. Dropping down, you’ll find three massive boilers, still very much where they should be, and the triple-expansion engine. It’s a proper steamship, built in 1919, and the sheer scale of the engineering still impresses. We love the penetration opportunities here, if you’ve got the right training and experience. The holds are fairly open, revealing crates and bottles, hinting at its cargo. Visibility can be a bit variable, but on a good day, with the light filtering through the gloom, the wreck takes on a ghostly presence. Look out for the resident conger eels, they’re hefty here, and the soft corals that have started to bloom on the metalwork. It’s a dive for those who appreciate history and don’t mind a bit of a deeper challenge.
ALMERIA
The Almeria might only sit at 5 metres, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it's not worth a dive. This blockship, deliberately sunk in 1915 to protect the Flow, offers a surprisingly engaging dive, especially for those looking to experience Scapa’s history without the deep-water commitment. We love how accessible she is, making her a perfect second dive or a relaxed exploration when the weather keeps you out of the deeper Flow. You’ll find the Almeria broken up, her steel plates creating a fascinating jumble of twisted metal and open spaces. It’s like an underwater playground, with plenty of swim-throughs and sheltered nooks perfect for spotting the resident ballan wrasse and blennies. Look closely, and you’ll often find dogfish resting in the sand nearby. We always suggest diving her on a slack tide; the visibility really opens up then, letting you appreciate the scale of the wreckage and the way the light filters through the broken hull. It’s a gentle introduction to Scapa’s wrecks, delivering plenty of character for its shallow depth.
ANDALINA
The *Andalina* is a beauty, a smaller wreck, but don't let that fool you into thinking it's not worth your time. She sits shallow, just 8 metres, which means light penetrates everywhere, even on a cloudy Orkney day. This isn't a penetration dive, not really; instead, we love just swimming over her ribs, seeing the outline of her hull. We often spot wrasse darting between the metalwork and those incredibly resilient anemones that just cling to everything. What makes *Andalina* special is that she's a fantastic second dive, a relaxed way to warm down after something deeper, or a cracking start to the day if you want to ease in. The shallow depth also means you get long bottom times, perfect for photographers or just for really soaking it all in. We often find ourselves circling her a few times, noticing new details on each pass. She's approachable, friendly, and a brilliant snapshot of Scapa's history without the demands of the bigger blockships.
ANDRIAS
The Andrias isn’t one of the grand Scapa Flow battleships, but we think it’s a brilliant dive for something a bit different. This modern trawler ran aground and sank in 1981, and what’s left of her is now scattered across the seabed at 27 metres. We love how the stern section is still largely intact, sitting upright with its propeller clear and proud. You can peek into the engine room, often finding conger eels lurking in the shadows. What really makes the Andrias shine, though, is the sheer amount of life. Every surface of the fragmented hull is plastered with plumose anemones, their white tentacles swaying gently in the mild current. We’ve seen huge shoals of juvenile pollock darting through the wreckage, and plenty of wrasse picking at the growth. It’s a dive that shows how quickly a wreck becomes a vibrant reef. For divers who appreciate historical context but also want a living, breathing dive, the Andrias is a fantastic choice, especially if the big wrecks are busy.
Scapa Flow, Orkney Dive Centres
1 dive shop and operator in Scapa Flow, Orkney
Ocean Wildlife in Scapa Flow, Orkney
140 species recorded in Scapa Flow, Orkney
Scapa Flow, Orkney Daylight & Sunrise/Sunset
Sunrise and sunset times for Scapa Flow, Orkney, calculated from coordinates
Today - Monday 24 August
Sunrise
04:54
Sunset
19:38
Daylight
14h 44m
Golden Hour
18:43
First light (dawn) at 04:09 · Last light (dusk) at 20:23
Monthly Averages
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 08:52 | 15:53 | 7h 1m |
| Feb | 07:50 | 17:06 | 9h 16m |
| Mar | 06:33 | 18:12 | 11h 39m |
| Apr | 05:04 | 19:23 | 14h 18m |
| May | 03:48 | 20:31 | 16h 43m |
| JunLongest | 03:06 | 21:22 | 18h 16m |
| Jul | 03:28 | 21:10 | 17h 42m |
| AugNow | 04:32 | 20:05 | 15h 33m |
| Sep | 05:40 | 18:38 | 12h 58m |
| Oct | 06:46 | 17:12 | 10h 26m |
| Nov | 08:00 | 15:56 | 7h 56m |
| DecShortest | 08:56 | 15:20 | 6h 24m |
Times are approximate local times based on longitude. Actual times may vary slightly depending on the exact timezone observed in Scapa Flow, Orkney.
Where to Stay near Scapa Flow, Orkney
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Marine Protected Areas near Scapa Flow, Orkney
202 protected areas near Scapa Flow, Orkney - please respect local regulations when diving
North-west Orkney
North-west Orkney
West Shetland Shelf
West Shetland Shelf
Seas off Foula
Southern Trench
Moray Firth
Moray Firth
Moray Firth
Central Fladen
Central Fladen
North-east Lewis
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