KINGSTON TURQUOISE - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The Kingston Turquoise is one of our favourite Scapa Flow wrecks, often overlooked in favour of the bigger German fleet. It's a trawler, sunk in 1965, and sits upright at 20 metres, mostly intact. What we love about her is the immediate sense of being on a proper working vessel, not just a pile of plates. You can still see the trawl winches and derricks, encrusted with plumose anemones, and the bridge is pretty much there, offering easy swim-throughs into the wheelhouse. The holds are open, a dark invitation, and we always spot a few massive conger eels coiled up inside, their heads slowly turning as you pass by. On the deck itself, the light can be stunning on a clear day, shafts piercing down through the water, illuminating schools of saithe that swirl around the mast. It’s a dive that really connects you to the history of the North Sea fishing industry, a cold, gritty beauty that many of the more famous Scapa sites just can't quite match. Ideal for anyone who appreciates an intact wreck over sheer size, and especially good for photographers looking for interesting compositions.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
59.223145, -3.580708
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
20m

Marine Protected Area: Marwick Head

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 KINGSTON TURQUOISE

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 KINGSTON TURQUOISE

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