COLLINGDOC - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The COLLINGDOC is pure Scapa Flow history, sitting in a shallow 5 metres. We love it because it’s so accessible, perfect for a long, relaxed dive or even a snorkel if the light is good. This ex-Great Lakes steamer, sunk as a blockship in 1940, lies broken but still recognisable, with her distinctive triple-expansion engine a real highlight. You can fin right over the deck, poke around the hold, and even see the prop shaft disappearing into the stern. Visibility here can be lovely on a calm day, letting the light filter through the kelp forest that now calls the wreck home. We’ve spent ages just watching the pollock swim through the gaps, and the anenomes cling to the twisted metal. It’s a gentle introduction to Scapa Flow wreck diving, an easy hour spent exploring a piece of maritime history without the depth or current worries of the deeper sites. Definitely bring a torch, even in the shallows, to really bring out the colours on the wreck.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
58.839336, -2.903922
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
5m

Marine Protected Area: Switha

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 COLLINGDOC

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 COLLINGDOC

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