DAGHESTAN
Protected Area
Pentland Firth Islands
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) - DAGHESTAN offers some of Scapa Flow, Orkney's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 8-14°C, warmest July, August, September.
The Daghestan is a proper dive, a deep, dark plunge into wartime history. We’re talking 55 metres here, so definitely one for the experienced trimix crowd, but what a reward if you’ve got the chops. Sunk by a U-boat in 1940, she lies pretty much intact on her port side, giving you this incredible perspective as you descend. The sheer size of the boilers and the triple expansion engine are the real stars; you can almost feel the power that once drove this tanker. We love picking out the individual bolts, the rivets, seeing how the structure has held up after all these decades. Visibility can be a challenge, sometimes just a few metres, adding to that eerie, lost-in-time feeling. But then it can open up, and you’ll find conger eels peering from every crevice, squat lobsters scuttling across the deck plates. Keep an eye on your bottom time; it goes fast down here. This site truly suits those who appreciate the somber beauty of a deep, historical wreck and the quiet, persistent life that has claimed it.
Typical DAGHESTAN 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 55m 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.
Nearest Dive Centres to DAGHESTAN
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Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for DAGHESTAN
DAGHESTAN Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for DAGHESTAN, 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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