GIRL KATHLEEN - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The Girl Kathleen, a fishing vessel grounded in 1982, isn't deep. In fact, she’s practically a shoreline stroll. We love how accessible she is, sticking out of the water like a defiant old lady. You can literally walk up to her at low tide, which makes her a brilliant first taste of Scapa Flow's wreck history without the commitment of a full dive. Even though she's shallow, the Girl Kathleen is a proper wreck, not just some scattered bits. Her superstructure is visible, and as you snorkel or shallow-dive around her hull, you’ll find it thick with kelp and small anemones. Little blennies dart between the rust, and often, we spot plump crabs scuttling over the plates. Our favourite detail is the way the light plays through the gaps in the metal, especially on a sunny day. She's a perfect spot for photographers wanting to capture that unique Scapa light, or for newer divers to get comfortable around wreckage before heading to the deeper blockships.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
58.093490, -3.692712
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
0m

Marine Protected Area: Helmsdale Coast

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 GIRL KATHLEEN

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 GIRL KATHLEEN

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