CHARKOW
Protected Area
East Caithness Cliffs
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) - CHARKOW offers some of Scapa Flow, Orkney's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 8-14°C, warmest July, August, September.
The Charkow is one of those Scapa Flow wrecks that really sticks with you, a genuinely poignant dive. She sits upright, pretty much intact, at 60 metres, a dark silhouette against the murkier light filtering down from above. We love the way her superstructure still holds its shape, giving you a real sense of her scale as you descend. You can explore the holds, pick out the boilers and machinery, and often spot conger eels tucked into the darker corners. The fish life here, mostly pollack and cod, are bold, swimming right up to your light. This is a dive for experienced wreck enthusiasts comfortable with deeper profiles and the often chilly, low-visibility conditions Scapa Flow can throw at you. Go on a slack tide, otherwise, it's a fight.
Typical CHARKOW 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 60m 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.
Reviews for CHARKOW
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for CHARKOW
CHARKOW Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for CHARKOW, 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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