BOY LESLIE - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The *Boy Leslie* is one of those Scapa wrecks we always make time for, even if it is a bit of a departure from the German High Seas Fleet. She’s a timber trawler, beached and broken on the rocks, and offers something completely different. We love how the wreck lies scattered, a jigsaw puzzle of planks and machinery. It’s less about penetration here and more about exploring the jumble, picking through the engine block, and seeing how nature reclaims things. You’ll find schools of cod and pollock hanging around the more intact sections, almost like they’re guarding the old girl. Our favourite part is spotting the colourful anemones and sponges that have plastered themselves across the wooden beams. It’s a site that really comes alive in good visibility, often best on an incoming tide when things get a bit clearer. Perfect for photographers who appreciate texture and the interplay of light and shadow, or anyone who enjoys a rummage through history without the deep decompression stops. Just remember, it can get a bit surgey if there's any swell.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
57.701344, -5.771153
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
0m

Wreck History - BOY LESLIE

Year Sunk
2000
Vessel Type
fishing vessel
Cause
grounding

The Boy Leslie met its end on a very memorable date: the first day of the new millennium. On January 1st, 2000, the wooden trawler, built in 1978, suffered a complete loss of power while navigating the waters of Scapa Flow. Helpless, the vessel drifted at the mercy of the wind and tide until it was cast upon the rocks, where it began to break apart.

With a depth of 0 meters, the Boy Leslie is not a dive site but a coastal wreck. Its classification as "showing any portion of hull" means its remains are visible from the surface, likely scattered in the intertidal zone. For coastal explorers, kayakers, and snorkelers, the wreck provides a stark and recent reminder of the sea's unforgiving nature, even in a harbour as famous as Scapa Flow. It stands as a monument to a terrible start to the 21st century for one unlucky vessel.

Marine Protected Area: Wester Ross

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 BOY LESLIE

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 BOY LESLIE

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