INTREPID II - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The Intrepid II is a proper Orkney wreck, a fishing vessel that caught fire and sank back in 2005. At 12 metres long, it’s not huge, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in character. We usually drop onto the stern, which sits upright at 40 metres, the bow rearing slightly. The hold is open, and you can duck inside, checking out the burnt timbers – a real sense of its fiery end still lingers. What we love about Intrepid II is how quickly life has moved in. The wheelhouse is gone, but the engine is still very much there, encrusted with anemones. Dead man's fingers sprout from every surface, and we’ve often seen conger eels poking their heads from pipes. It’s a site that suits divers comfortable with depth, offering a good, solid technical dive in a relatively protected part of Scapa Flow. We'd suggest going on a slack tide, otherwise the current can make navigating the hold a bit trickier.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
58.286633, -3.199300
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
40m

Marine Protected Area: East Caithness Cliffs

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 INTREPID II

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 INTREPID II

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