GERTRUD - Scapa Flow, Orkney

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.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
58.695156, -3.124910
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
10m

Marine Protected Area: Pentland Firth Islands

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 GERTRUD

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 GERTRUD

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