MAGICIAN - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The Magician is one of our favourites in Scapa Flow, probably because it’s a bit of an underdog. Not part of the scuttled German fleet, this steamship went down after hitting a mine in 1944. She sits upright, largely intact, with her bow in shallower water – you can easily spend an hour just exploring that section. Drop down and you're immediately hit by the scale of her. Her cargo holds are open, inviting exploration, and we’ve spent many dives finning through, torch beams cutting through the green light. Look for the massive triple-expansion engine and the twin boilers, still impressive after all these years. There are usually plenty of squat lobsters tucked into every crevice, and plumose anemones coat the darker sections. It’s a proper expedition dive, a real sense of journeying through a sunken world. We’d suggest saving this one for a day with good visibility, perhaps on an incoming tide when the water can be a bit clearer. She’s a great wreck for divers who love penetration but also offers plenty of interesting external features if going inside isn't your thing.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
57.523094, -1.798367
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
0m

Marine Protected Area: Bullers of Buchan Coast

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 MAGICIAN

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 MAGICIAN

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