FARO
Protected Area
Copinsay
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) - FARO offers some of Scapa Flow, Orkney's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 8-14°C, warmest July, August, September.
The Faro, a steamship torpedoed in 1940, lies scattered across the seabed in Taracliffe Bay. It's not a single, intact structure, more a distributed collection of metal, but that's part of its charm. We find her boiler and triple expansion engine are the main focal points, substantial pieces that hint at the vessel's original scale. Schools of coalfish often swirl around the wreckage, and we’ve seen some decent lobsters tucked into the nooks. It's a good dive for those who appreciate exploring history that's been softened by the sea, rather than just swimming over a perfect shape.
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.
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Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for FARO
FARO Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for FARO, 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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