INCENTIVE - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The Incentive is one of those smaller wrecks in Scapa Flow that often gets overlooked, but we think that’s a real shame. This isn’t a German battleship, obviously, but for a smaller technical dive, it’s got a great personality. The fishing vessel sank in 2002 after taking on water, and she sits upright on a sandy seabed at 60 metres. The wheelhouse is still largely intact, and you can peer into the bridge, imagining the crew’s last moments as the engine died. It’s a wonderfully silty wreck, so good trim and buoyancy are essential, but for those with the skills, the rewards are there. We love seeing the resident wolf fish – there are usually a couple lurking in the nooks, unafraid of lights. Their knowing eyes always seem to greet us. The intact nets draped over the bow and stern are now home to squat lobsters and crabs, and the entire structure is thick with plumose anemones, creating a soft, colourful fuzz. It’s a dive that suits experienced technical divers looking for something a bit different, a more intimate encounter with a modern wreck. Dive it on a calm day; the visibility can be excellent down there when the surface is settled.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
58.709600, -2.971599
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
60m

Marine Protected Area: Pentland Firth Islands

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 INCENTIVE

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 INCENTIVE

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