HMS IMBAT - Scapa Flow, Orkney

Scapa Flow is littered with history, but the HMS *Imbat* offers a quiet contrast to the behemoths of the German High Seas Fleet. She’s a drifter, a wooden vessel built in 1918, sunk in a collision in 1941. At just 15 metres, it’s a site that rewards a slow, observant dive. We love poking around her broken hull, seeing the ribs of the ship like a skeletal hand reaching up from the seabed. The wood is long gone in places, but the structure remains, a framework for life. You’ll find a surprising amount of invertebrate life here: plumose anemones, dead man's fingers, and nudibranchs clinging to the metalwork. The visibility in Scapa can vary wildly, but on a good day, sunlight filters down, illuminating the rusty iron and the swirling shoals of small fish that dart through the structure. It’s not a deep, dark penetration dive, but a chance to reflect on a smaller piece of wartime history, beautifully reclaimed by the sea. This site suits divers looking for a relaxed exploration, somewhere to hone their buoyancy and appreciate the smaller details.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
58.832916, -3.193083
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
15m

Marine Protected Area: Switha

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 HMS IMBAT

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 HMS IMBAT

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