JUANITA - Scapa Flow, Orkney

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.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
58.840973, -2.900506
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
2m

Marine Protected Area: Switha

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 JUANITA

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 JUANITA

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