CALINA
Protected Area
Tong Saltings
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) - CALINA offers some of Scapa Flow, Orkney's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 8-14°C, warmest July, August, September.
The Calina is a cracking little wreck, a wooden fishing vessel that went down in 2002. We love it because it’s surprisingly intact for a timber boat, especially the stern. You can still make out the wheelhouse structure, which is always a bonus, and the bow points north, a good reference. Dropping onto her at 41 metres, the first thing that hits you is the sheer coverage of plumose anemones, often thick enough to completely obscure the original timber. It’s like a vibrant, pulsating carpet. The hold is open, easy to peek into, and we’ve often found lumpsuckers tucked away there, a real treat. Keep an eye out for conger eels too; they’ve made a home in various nooks and crannies. This isn't a wreck for penetration, but for exploration, feeling the history of a working boat, it’s spot on. Our favourite part has to be the stern, where the prop is still in place, usually buzzing with small schooling fish. The Calina is a superb dive for those who appreciate the quiet beauty of a wreck reclaimed by the sea.
Typical CALINA Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Maximum depth 41m exceeds recreational limits (40m). Technical diving certification and equipment required.
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Cold water this month (avg 13°C). Drysuit or thick wetsuit (7mm+) recommended.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
CALINA Wreck History
Year Sunk
2002
Vessel Type
fishing vessel
Cause
unknown
Unlike the legendary warships of the German High Seas Fleet that surround it, the MV Calina is a much more modern and humble addition to the wrecks of Scapa Flow. Built of wood in 1969 in Girvan, Scotland, the 16-meter vessel served as a working fishing boat for over three decades. Her story is not one of conflict, but of the daily toil that characterizes the fishing industry in the demanding waters of the North Atlantic.
The Calina's end came not in battle, but on April 19, 2002. While operating in Scapa Flow, she began to take on water for reasons that remain unclear. Unable to control the flooding, her crew were forced to abandon ship and were thankfully recovered safely. The Calina slipped beneath the waves, settling on the seabed and joining the ghosts of a much earlier, more violent era.
Resting at 41 meters, the Calina offers a fascinating contrast to the colossal battleships nearby. It's a dive for advanced or technical divers, providing a chance to explore a small, relatively recent wooden wreck. While not as imposing as her famous neighbors, she is a complete vessel that is interesting to circumnavigate, peering into the spaces where her crew once worked. The site is a reminder that the sea continues to claim ships, and that Scapa Flow's underwater museum is still growing.
Reviews for CALINA
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for CALINA
CALINA Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for CALINA, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (58.64, -3.16) (8km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
13°C
55°F · Range: 11.4–13.8°C
Air Temperature
10°C
50°F
Wind Speed
9.26 m/s
18.0 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1005.3 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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