BEL LILY - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The Bel Lily is one of those Scapa wrecks we keep coming back to. While it doesn't have the sheer scale of the German High Seas Fleet, this trawler, sunk by a mine in 1917, offers a fantastic solo dive. Dropping down to 47m, you’ll find her relatively intact, sitting upright on the seabed. We love picking our way through the superstructure, imagining the crew on deck before that fateful day. The bow area is our favourite, often blanketed in bright yellow dead man’s fingers. Inside, her single boiler is a prominent feature, and you can poke around the triple expansion engine. It’s a dark dive, as most are in Scapa, so good lights are essential to really appreciate the details and the surprisingly colourful anemones that cling to every surface. The Bel Lily is a superb wreck for experienced divers comfortable with deeper, colder water, looking for a bit of history and a quieter exploration away from the bigger crowds. Just watch out for the strong currents that can occasionally sweep through Scapa Flow, particularly on spring tides.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
57.547300, -1.719783
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
47m

Wreck History - BEL LILY

Year Sunk
1917
Vessel Type
fishing vessel
Cause
scuttled

Originally a hard-working steam trawler named the Forth, the Bel Lily was built in 1899 and spent her early years plying the fishing grounds. Her civilian career came to an end with the outbreak of World War I, when she was requisitioned by the Admiralty for naval service. Her final mission was not one of combat, but of sacrifice. On May 14, 1917, she was deliberately scuttled as a blockship in Burra Sound, one of the key entrances to the vital naval anchorage of Scapa Flow, to protect the fleet from submarine incursions.

Resting at a maximum depth of 47 meters, the Bel Lily is one of Scapa Flow's deeper and less-dived blockships. The wreck sits upright and is largely intact, though time and strong currents have taken their toll. Divers can explore the trawler's classic lines, from its bow to the recognizable stern, and peer into the holds. The depth makes this a dive for experienced and advanced divers, offering a fascinating alternative to the more famous German High Seas Fleet wrecks and a direct connection to the defensive efforts that protected Scapa Flow.

Marine Protected Area: Loch of Strathbeg

Best Time to Dive in Scapa Flow, Orkney

The warmest water temperatures in Scapa Flow, Orkney occur in January, averaging 8.4°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 8.4°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 8.4°C (air: 5.5°C)
  • February: 8.4°C (air: 5.3°C)
  • March: 8.4°C (air: 5.9°C)
  • April: 8.4°C (air: 6.8°C)
  • May: 8.4°C (air: 9.7°C)
  • June: 8.4°C (air: 12.4°C)
  • July: 8.4°C (air: 13.2°C)
  • August: 8.4°C (air: 13.7°C)
  • September: 8.4°C (air: 12.7°C)
  • October: 8.4°C (air: 10.2°C)
  • November: 8.4°C (air: 8.0°C)
  • December: 8.4°C (air: 5.8°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Scapa Flow, Orkney

Nearest Dive Centres to BEL LILY

Marine Life in Scapa Flow, Orkney

Home to 155 recorded species including 63 reef fish, 17 whales & dolphins, 12 sharks & rays, 11 crabs & lobsters, 11 other, 10 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for BEL LILY

Based on average water temperature of 8.4°C.

  • Drysuit - water at 8°C demands a drysuit with thermal undergarments
  • Hood & Gloves (7mm+) - critical to prevent heat loss
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories