GOLDEN WEST - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The Golden West might not be one of the Scapa Flow big guns, but we love it for a quick, shallow dive with plenty of atmosphere. This isn't some ancient war relic; she's a sizeable modern yacht, sunk at her moorings back in 1970. We remember descending through the green Orkney water onto her deck, the light filtering in really bringing out the details. At just 10 metres, it's an easy dive, perfect for warming up or for newer wreck divers. You can spend a good long time poking around the superstructure, which is still largely intact. Look for the wheelhouse, it's quite something. What really makes it for us is the sheer number of squat lobsters hiding in every nook and cranny. Seriously, they're everywhere. We’ve also seen some unusually large butterfish here, tucked into the corners. It’s a great site if you're looking for something different from the usual battleship fare, especially on a day when the deeper sites are a bit too challenging.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
57.887157, -5.140139
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
10m

Marine Protected Area: Cailleach Head

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 GOLDEN WEST

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 GOLDEN WEST

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