LINKMOOR - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The Linkmoor isn't about deep dives or dramatic drop-offs. It’s a shallow wreck, only ten metres at its deepest, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s a simple splash-and-dash. We love it for its sheer accessibility and how much of its story is still visible. Lying on her port side, the sheer scale of her structure is immediately apparent – those huge boilers are a particular highlight, often silhouetted against the ambient light filtering down from the surface. Our favourite thing about the Linkmoor is how she feels like a proper historical artefact, yet still very much part of the living seabed. Expect to spend your time exploring the deck structures, picking out details that hint at her former life, while shoals of small coalfish dart through openings. Look closely at the metalwork, and you’ll spot a surprising amount of invertebrate life, soft corals, and anemones clinging on. Entry is usually straightforward, but Scapa Flow’s currents can still surprise you, so check the tides. This is a brilliant site for those who want a long, relaxed dive, plenty of bottom time, and a real tangible link to Scapa Flow’s past, without the commitment of a deeper, more challenging wreck.

Location: Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates: 58.655160, -3.279875
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 10m

Marine Protected Area: North Caithness Cliffs

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)

Nearest Dive Centres to LINKMOOR

The Diving Cellar

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

Protestant (Clupea harengus) - Reef Fish
Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) - Reef Fish
Cowfish (Tursiops truncatus) - Whales & Dolphins
whiting (Merlangius merlangus) - Reef Fish
dab (Limanda limanda) - Reef Fish
harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) - Whales & Dolphins
grey gurnard (Eutrigla gurnardus) - Reef Fish
long rough dab (Hippoglossoides platessoides) - Reef Fish
dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula) - Sharks & Rays
Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) - Reef Fish
poor cod (Trisopterus minutus) - Reef Fish
sprat (Sprattus sprattus) - Reef Fish
Common minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) - Whales & Dolphins
Split (Scomber scombrus) - Reef Fish
Norway Lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) - Crabs & Lobsters
Common dragonet (Callionymus lyra) - Reef Fish
lesser argentine (Argentina sphyraena) - Reef Fish
white-beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) - Whales & Dolphins
Common sea star (Asterias rubens) - Starfish
Soldier (Chelidonichthys cuculus) - Reef Fish