HMS MARSONA (N SECTION) - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The Marsona, or what’s left of her northern section, is one of those Scapa wrecks we keep coming back to. She was a trawler, pressed into minesweeping duty, and went down in '40. Lying at a gentle 16 metres, it's a relaxed dive, perfect for a long bottom time just soaking in the history. We love how her hull plates are peeling back, creating these nooks and crannies where squat lobsters always seem to be peeking out. You’ll spend your dive tracing the remains of the bow, the anchor chain still prominent, and seeing how the metal has softened with time, draped in dead man's fingers. Our favourite part is dropping down into the fish hold – it’s a bit silty, but the light plays in there beautifully, and you often find small schools of juvenile coalfish darting about. It’s not the biggest wreck in Scapa, but its accessibility and the way marine life has utterly reclaimed it makes it a standout. A gentle current often sweeps through, keeping visibility decent, and it’s a great site for photographers keen on capturing the intricate growth on the steel.

Location: Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates: 57.673880, -3.918633
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 16m

Marine Protected Area: Moray Firth

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)

Nearest Dive Centres to HMS MARSONA (N SECTION)

The Diving Cellar

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

Protestant (Clupea harengus) - Reef Fish
Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) - Reef Fish
Cowfish (Tursiops truncatus) - Whales & Dolphins
whiting (Merlangius merlangus) - Reef Fish
dab (Limanda limanda) - Reef Fish
harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) - Whales & Dolphins
grey gurnard (Eutrigla gurnardus) - Reef Fish
long rough dab (Hippoglossoides platessoides) - Reef Fish
dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula) - Sharks & Rays
Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) - Reef Fish
poor cod (Trisopterus minutus) - Reef Fish
sprat (Sprattus sprattus) - Reef Fish
Common minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) - Whales & Dolphins
Split (Scomber scombrus) - Reef Fish
Norway Lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) - Crabs & Lobsters
Common dragonet (Callionymus lyra) - Reef Fish
lesser argentine (Argentina sphyraena) - Reef Fish
white-beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) - Whales & Dolphins
Common sea star (Asterias rubens) - Starfish
Soldier (Chelidonichthys cuculus) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for HMS MARSONA (N SECTION)

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