KAREN JANE - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The *Karen Jane* might be smaller, just 12 metres, but we love her for a quick, atmospheric dive when you’re in Scapa Flow. She’s not one of the big German warships, obviously, but she’s beautifully intact and a fantastic photographic subject. She rests upright on a sandy bottom at 31 metres, easily accessible and often with decent visibility for the area. This fishing vessel went down in 1999, so she’s had a couple of decades for the marine life to really make her home. You’ll find her draped in plumose anemones, and we always spot crabs tucked into every nook and cranny. The wheelhouse is still largely there, offering some nice swim-throughs if you’re comfortable with overhead environments, otherwise, circling the exterior reveals plenty. We’d suggest saving her for a day when the current is mild, as she can be exposed. She’s a great addition to a day out in Scapa, especially if you’ve already ticked off some of the bigger blockbusters.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
58.596264, -4.043104
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
31m

Marine Protected Area: Strathy Point

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 KAREN JANE

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 KAREN JANE

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