GERTRUD
Protected Area
Pentland Firth Islands
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) - GERTRUD offers some of Scapa Flow, Orkney's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 8-14°C, warmest July, August, September.
The Gertrud, sitting upright in just 10 metres of water, is an absolute cracker for a second dive or if you're not quite ready for the deeper stuff in Scapa. We love how accessible she is; you can spend a solid 45 minutes just poking around. She’s a steamship, and while she went down in '34, she’s still remarkably intact, a proper skeletal structure. What you get here is a masterclass in wreck penetration without the worry. Her engine room is wide open, a cavernous space you can swim through, bathed in green light filtering from the surface. Look out for the nudibranchs crawling on the rust, and the plump wrasse that dart in and out of the plating. It’s a photographer’s dream on a sunny day, the light plays so well off the decaying metal. We’d suggest hitting it on a rising tide for the best visibility, but honestly, it’s a good dive whenever you can get there.
Typical GERTRUD Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
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.
Nearest Dive Centres to GERTRUD
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Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for GERTRUD
GERTRUD Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for GERTRUD, 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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