JUANITA
Protected Area
Switha
Why dive here
With 140+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue whales, dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and ocean sunfish (mola mola) - JUANITA offers some of Scapa Flow, Orkney's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 8-14°C, warmest July, August, September.
The Juanita isn’t a deep dive, but it’s one we always recommend for a different Scapa Flow experience. We love this site for its accessibility and the way the Orkney light filters through the shallow water. You’ll find her just off the shore, a blockship sunk in 1940, her steel hull now a skeletal frame against the sandy seabed. Exploring the Juanita feels like stepping back in time, the metal plates warped and twisted by years of exposure. The wreck is essentially a shallow, broken hull, perfect for divers who want to take their time, practice buoyancy, or get some great wide-angle photos. Crabs scuttle amongst the rivets, and we’ve seen plenty of inquisitive blennies peering out from crevices. It’s an ideal site for a relaxed dive, especially if the weather keeps you out of the deeper Flow, or if you just fancy a change from the battleships. We’d suggest going at high tide for the best visibility, which, while never ‘crystal-clear’ by tropical standards, offers a good 5-8 metres on a calm day. Look for the anemones that have colonised the exposed metalwork; their tentacles pulse gently with the surge.
Typical JUANITA Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Cold water this month (avg 13°C). Drysuit or thick wetsuit (7mm+) recommended.
Nearest Dive Centres to JUANITA
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Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for JUANITA
JUANITA Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for JUANITA, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (58.64, -3.16) (8km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
13°C
55°F · Range: 11.4–13.8°C
Air Temperature
10°C
50°F
Wind Speed
9.26 m/s
18.0 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1005.3 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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