HMD CHANCE
Protected Area
Switha
Why dive here
With 140+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue whales, dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and ocean sunfish (mola mola) - HMD CHANCE offers some of Scapa Flow, Orkney's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 8-14°C, warmest July, August, September.
HMD Chance is one of our favourite Scapa Flow wrecks for a few reasons. Descending through the typical green Orkney water, the wooden hull emerges, surprisingly intact for its age. We’re talking about a steam drifter here, built in 1908, sitting upright at 28 metres. The collision that sank her in 1916 left a decent hole midships, but the bow and stern are particularly well-preserved. You can peer into the holds, or what’s left of them, and the prop is often a highlight, encrusted with anemones that sway gently in the mild currents. We’ve spotted some hefty conger eels coiled in the darker corners and plenty of cod hanging out in the superstructure. It’s a comfortable dive, nothing too taxing, perfect for divers who appreciate history and the quiet beauty of a wooden wreck reclaiming its place on the seabed. Don’t rush it; take your time to explore the details.
Typical HMD CHANCE Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Depth of 28m - Advanced Open Water certification recommended.
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Cold water this month (avg 13°C). Drysuit or thick wetsuit (7mm+) recommended.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
Nearest Dive Centres to HMD CHANCE
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Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for HMD CHANCE
HMD CHANCE Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for HMD CHANCE, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (58.64, -3.16) (8km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
13°C
55°F · Range: 11.4–13.8°C
Air Temperature
10°C
50°F
Wind Speed
9.26 m/s
18.0 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1005.3 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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