HMS ZAREFAH - Scapa Flow, Orkney

Forget the big German battleships for a minute, the HMS Zarefah offers a different kind of Scapa Flow charm. This isn’t a massive, imposing wreck, it’s an elegant, almost delicate yacht, lying upright at 38 metres. We love dropping down onto her decks, feeling that slight compression as the light fades and the shape of the vessel resolves itself from the gloom. You can really trace her lines, picturing her as a luxury pleasure craft before the war. The bow points north, and we find the stern a great place to start, working our way forward. Look for the triple expansion engine, it’s still remarkably intact, a fantastic piece of engineering history. Schools of saithe often swirl around the mast, and we’ve seen some decent-sized conger eels peeking out from various nooks and crannies. The Zarefah makes for a fantastic second dive after one of the larger scuttled fleet ships, offering a more intimate, reflective experience. It's a site that rewards careful exploration, not just brute force.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
58.987167, -2.692050
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
38m

Marine Protected Area: Copinsay

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 ZAREFAH

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 ZAREFAH

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