FORNEBO - Scapa Flow, Orkney

We always come back to the Fornebo. There’s something special about this tanker, a proper deep dive that still offers plenty for the technical diver without being a relentless push. She lies on her starboard side, and the sheer scale of her, 110 metres long, is the first thing that hits you as she materialises out of the green gloom. We love dropping down her hull, feeling that familiar chill of the Scapa Flow water, then nosing around the impressive bow. The real draw, for us, is exploring her holds. They’re massive, open spaces, easy to penetrate, and often thick with shoals of saithe that swirl around you, silvery scales catching the light from your torch. Keep an eye out for conger eels too; they’ve made these wrecks their own, often peering from behind collapsed bulkheads. It’s a proper historical dive, the sense of age palpable, and the conditions here are usually calmer than some of the more exposed sites. Definitely one for the experienced wreck diver comfortable with depth and overhead environments.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
58.689205, -5.199040
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
60m

Marine Protected Area: Cape Wrath

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 FORNEBO

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 FORNEBO

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