DAGHESTAN - Scapa Flow, Orkney

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.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
58.782932, -2.834943
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
55m

Marine Protected Area: Pentland Firth Islands

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 DAGHESTAN

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 DAGHESTAN

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