MALIN HEAD - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The Malin Head is a proper Scapa Flow dive, a working steamship that went down in 1910 and has been sitting there ever since. We love a wreck that still feels like a ship, not just a pile of plates. You’ll find her resting on her port side, mostly intact, with her bow pointing northwest. The stern is a fantastic rummage, we always head there first. Her two large boilers are a real focal point, they loom out of the gloom and are covered in dead man's fingers, sometimes so thick they look like a sheep’s fleece. Penetration is possible if you’ve got the right training and gear. Inside, we've found porcelain dinner plates and the occasional boot. The visibility here can be decent, but it's often a bit silty, so take it slow and try not to stir things up. Look for the wolf fish lurking in crevices, and conger eels are pretty much a given. Our favourite time to dive her is on a slack tide, obviously, but also when there's a bit of sun filtering through the water. It really brings out the colours on the anemones and soft corals. It’s a great dive for anyone comfortable with deeper wrecks and a bit of chill in the water.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
58.638657, -3.156902
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
0m

Marine Protected Area: John o' Groats

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 MALIN HEAD

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 MALIN HEAD

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