EBENEZER - Scapa Flow, Orkney

Ebenezer is a cracking little wreck, one of our favourites for a relaxed dive in Scapa Flow when the weather isn’t playing ball for the bigger stuff. We’re talking shallow, around 15 metres, so you get plenty of bottom time and a good amount of light filtering through, even on a cloudy Orkney day. This isn't one of the German giants, it's a fishing vessel, and she foundered on rocks back in '59 during a snowstorm – you can almost feel the chill in the air when you think about it. What we love about Ebenezer is her character. She’s broken up, but not unrecognisably so, and the parts spread across the rocky seabed create fantastic little hidey-holes. You’ll weave through sections of hull, past the ribs of the boat, all encrusted with colourful anenomes and dead man's fingers. Big schools of pollock often hang suspended above the wreck, and we've regularly spotted inquisitive seals darting between the metalwork. It's a photographer's dream for wide-angle shots of the structure and the light play. Our top tip? Go on a calm day, if you can, the visibility really pops and the details of the wreck come alive. Perfect for divers who appreciate history and macro life without the deeper demands of some of Scapa’s other stars.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
58.179607, -6.226117
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
15m

Marine Protected Area: Tong Saltings

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 EBENEZER

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 EBENEZER

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