COLLINGDOC
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) - COLLINGDOC offers some of Scapa Flow, Orkney's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 8-14°C, warmest July, August, September.
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.
Typical COLLINGDOC 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 COLLINGDOC
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Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for COLLINGDOC
COLLINGDOC Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for COLLINGDOC, 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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