CLIO
Protected Area
Switha
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) - CLIO offers some of Scapa Flow, Orkney's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 8-14°C, warmest July, August, September.
Clio, one of Scapa Flow's blockships, sits in genuinely shallow water, just 2m deep. Built in 1889, this 91.4m steamer was scuttled to defend the harbour, and now lies mostly broken up, though her two boilers and triple expansion engine are still distinct features. We find it’s a brilliant site for newer wreck divers, or even snorkelers, offering an easy exploration of history without the depth. Dogfish often rest in the sand nearby, and the wreck itself shelters crabs and blennies amongst the plates. Visibility can shift with the weather, but on a calm day, it’s a surprisingly engaging dive.
Typical CLIO Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
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.
Nearest Dive Centres to CLIO
Dive shops near CLIO
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Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for CLIO
CLIO Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for CLIO, 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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