EYFIRDINGUR - Scapa Flow, Orkney

Eyfirdingur is one of Scapa Flow's lesser-known wrecks, probably because she’s so shallow. But honestly, we love her for it. This isn't a deep dive, or a long one, at just three metres, but it’s an ideal way to spend an hour when the weather’s a bit choppy for the deeper stuff. She was a wooden lugger, built in France in 1908, eventually sinking in 1952. The wreck itself is well broken up, mostly ribs and deck timbers, scattered across the seafloor. What we really enjoy here is the way light filters through the kelp, making the green water glow, illuminating the skeletal remains of the ship. Look closely and you’ll find plenty of crabs tucked into crevices, some plump lobsters, and often a curious seal zipping past. It’s perfect for newer drysuit divers, or anyone who just wants a relaxed exploration of history without the pressure of depth or deco. Bring a torch, even in the shallows, to peer into the darker corners.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
59.233450, -2.706400
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
3m

Marine Protected Area: Calf of Eday

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 EYFIRDINGUR

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 EYFIRDINGUR

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