ELSA
Protected Area
Cape Wrath
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) - ELSA offers some of Scapa Flow, Orkney's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 8-14°C, warmest July, August, September.
The Elsa, a fishing trawler that went down in 1989, sits upright in just 14 metres of water, making it a great option for a relaxed second dive or for newer wreck divers in Scapa Flow. We usually find decent visibility here, letting you appreciate the vessel's structure, which is largely intact. Look for the trawl gear scattered around the stern and keep an eye out for inquisitive conger eels peeking from crevices. It’s a site that gives you a genuine feel for a working boat, now home to plenty of wrasse and crabs, without the deeper depths or strong currents sometimes found on the German High Seas Fleet wrecks.
Typical ELSA 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.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
Reviews for ELSA
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for ELSA
ELSA Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for ELSA, 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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