ACHILLES
Protected Area
Eilean Hoan
Why dive here
With 140+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue whales, dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and ocean sunfish (mola mola) - ACHILLES offers some of Scapa Flow, Orkney's richest wreck diving. Water sits around 8°C.
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.
Typical ACHILLES Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Deep dive (32m) - monitor air consumption closely. Advanced certification recommended.
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Cold water this month (avg 8°C). Drysuit or thick wetsuit (7mm+) recommended.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
ACHILLES Wreck History
Year Sunk
1970
Vessel Type
fishing vessel
Cause
unknown
While Scapa Flow is renowned for the scuttled warships of the German High Seas Fleet, its waters hold the stories of many other vessels, including the humble fishing boat Achilles. On January 19, 1970, the Achilles's career was cut short when a rope fouled its propeller, disabling the vessel. Powerless in the strong Orkney currents, the boat sank half a mile north of Whiten Head. Thankfully, the entire crew was rescued before she went down.
For divers, the Achilles offers a completely different experience from the massive WWI battleships nearby. Resting at a depth of 32 meters, this dive is suited for advanced divers. The wreck is a more modern and intimate site, allowing explorers to see the remnants of a working fishing boat. Divers can identify deck gear, winches, and parts of the superstructure, all now colonized by a beautiful carpet of anemones, sponges, and hydroids. It's a peaceful dive that serves as a reminder of the perils faced by all who make their living from the sea.
Reviews for ACHILLES
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for ACHILLES
ACHILLES Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for ACHILLES, sourced from NOAA buoy data - nearest station: Open-Meteo grid (58.88, -3.1) (0km away)
August Averages
Sea Temperature
8.39°C
47°F
Air Temperature
13.71°C
57°F
Wind Speed
6.8 m/s
13.2 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1011.3 hPa
Based on 5 years of monitoring data · Data sources: NOAA NDBC
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