Friendly Isle - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The Friendly Isle is a cracking little wreck, one of our favourites in Scapa Flow for a quick, interesting dive. Dropping down, you’ll see the stern first, sitting upright and surprisingly intact for a vessel that only went down in April 2024. What we love about this site, even so soon after its sinking, is how quickly the local wrasse and juvenile pollack have moved in, darting around the mast and the wheelhouse. It’s a great site for divers looking for a less intimidating wreck experience than some of the Flow’s giants. The maximum depth of 34m means you have decent bottom time, and the exposed structure means plenty of light filters through, even on murkier days. Poke around the holds, or just spend your dive circumnavigating the deck; there’s enough here to keep you engaged. We'd suggest aiming for a slack tide; while the Flow is generally forgiving, a little less current always makes for a more relaxed dive.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
57.746166, -3.736250
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
34m

Marine Protected Area: Moray Firth

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 Friendly Isle

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 Friendly Isle

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