COMMANDER BOYLE - Scapa Flow, Orkney

Commander Boyle is a gritty dive, absolutely. This isn’t a pretty reef, it’s a sombre reminder of wartime Orkney, and that’s precisely why we love it. Dropping down to 54 metres, you’re enveloped in the low visibility Scapa Flow is known for, a kind of murky embrace that makes the wreck’s hulking presence even more dramatic. She’s a trawler, sunk by a mine in 1915, and the years underwater have given her a dark, rusted beauty. We found her wheelhouse remarkably intact on our last visit, a ghostly shell adorned with dead man’s fingers and hydroids. Look closely and you'll spot wolf fish peeking out from beneath plates, and conger eels coiled in the deeper recesses. The bow section is particularly good, where the structure is more broken, creating nooks and crannies for smaller fish. It's a dive for those who appreciate history and the quiet, persistent beauty of decay, especially if you’re comfortable in deep, dark water. Come prepared for the cold, and bring a good torch; you’ll want to pick out every detail on this grand old lady.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
58.183000, -2.459978
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
54m

Marine Protected Area: Long Berry Coast

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 COMMANDER BOYLE

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 COMMANDER BOYLE

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