FANCY NANCY - Scapa Flow, Orkney

Fancy Nancy, now she’s a fun one. Not your typical Scapa Flow behemoth, but a small, feisty fishing vessel that went down in 1991. We love how accessible she is, sitting upright at 30 metres, mostly intact. The wheelhouse is a highlight; you can peer right inside, imagining her last moments before she began taking on water and sank under tow. It’s an intimate dive, a chance to really explore a modern wreck without getting overwhelmed. The prop is still there, often shrouded in anemones, and the hull is now home to plenty of wrasse and squat lobsters tucked into every crevice. Visibility here can be surprisingly good on a calm day, giving you a clear view of her lines. We’d suggest going slow, poking around her deck, and appreciating the scale of a working boat. It’s a proper Scapa dive, just a little cozier, perfect for those days you want something different from the cruisers.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
59.299550, -2.368375
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
30m

Marine Protected Area: Northwall

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 FANCY NANCY

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 FANCY NANCY

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