MARCO POLO - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The Marco Polo, she’s a beauty, even if she barely tickles the surface. We love this site for a relaxed dip, perfect for a long snorkel or a shallow dive when the sun’s out. She was a steel sailing vessel, wrecked on Jack’s Reef in a December gale back in 1915, and now her bones lie just two metres deep. It’s an incredible insight into a bygone era, with ribs and plating scattered across the seabed, forming a skeletal outline of her 75-metre length. You’ll weave through the twisted metal, observing the kelp that sways with the gentle current, creating a green forest around the wreck. Look closely and you’ll find butterfish darting between the plates, and often, we’ve spotted small crabs scuttling over the rust-coloured steel. It’s a peaceful, surprisingly vibrant encounter with history, ideal for photographers wanting to capture the interplay of light and shadow, or for less experienced divers looking for an easy, rewarding exploration. We’d suggest heading out here on a calm day, when the sun can really illuminate the wreck, bringing out the subtle colours of the marine growth.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
59.153330, -2.611667
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
2m

Marine Protected Area: Little Linga Holm

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 MARCO POLO

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 MARCO POLO

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