GOODWILL MERCHANT - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The Goodwill Merchant is a proper Scapa Flow wreck, and we love diving it. It’s not one of the big German fleet, but this motor vessel, sunk in '76, offers a fantastic rummage around at just 16m. We often find the visibility here surprisingly good, especially on a settled day. You drop onto the bow, usually, and the whole thing is still very much a ship. Her stern is higher, rising about 4-5 metres off the seabed, making for a dramatic profile against the green-blue water. There's plenty of penetration if you're comfortable, particularly into the engine room which is surprisingly open and feels very atmospheric. Look for the large propeller, still in place and usually buzzing with small crabs and gobies. It’s an easy dive, and a great way to warm up for deeper Scapa wrecks, or just to enjoy a well-preserved wreck without the decompression worries. We always see plenty of ling, often tucked into shadowy corners, and the anemones coating the deck superstructure are vibrant in your torch beam.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
59.993830, -1.345283
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
16m

Marine Protected Area: St Ninian's Tombolo

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 GOODWILL MERCHANT

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 GOODWILL MERCHANT

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