HEINKEL 111 - Scapa Flow, Orkney

We love a good shallow wreck, and the Heinkel 111 in Scapa Flow delivers. It’s barely 11 metres deep, which means solid bottom time and plenty of light, even on a cloudy Orkney day. Dropping onto it, you can often make out the distinct shape of the twin engines and the fuselage before you even reach the seabed. The wings are largely intact, providing great cover for small cod and blennies, darting in and out of the structural elements. We’d suggest a slow fin around the cockpit area, where the biggest pieces of wreckage lie, imagining the plane as it was. It’s a genuinely evocative dive, a real piece of history brought to life by the Scapa Flow conditions. It suits divers looking for a relaxed, historically significant dive without the deeper demands of some of the other Scapa Flow wrecks.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
57.674736, -2.409949
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
11m

Marine Protected Area: Gamrie and Pennan 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 HEINKEL 111

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 HEINKEL 111

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