KOLN
Protected Area
Waulkmill
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) - KOLN offers some of Scapa Flow, Orkney's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 8-14°C, warmest July, August, September.
The SMS Köln is a proper chunk of history on the seabed, lying on her port side in about 32 metres. She’s a big girl, over 150 metres long, and while she’s starting to break down in places, you still get a real sense of her scale. We usually head for the bow, where the torpedo tubes are a highlight, or explore the massive deck guns still mostly intact. Visibility can swing, but when it’s good, the light through the huge interior spaces is something else. This one’s definitely for divers comfortable with overhead environments and a bit of current, offering a deep dive into Scapa Flow’s past.
Typical KOLN Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Deep dive (32m) - monitor air consumption closely. Advanced certification recommended.
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.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
Nearest Dive Centres to KOLN
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Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for KOLN
KOLN Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for KOLN, 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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