MINSK
Protected Area
East Caithness Cliffs
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) - MINSK offers some of Scapa Flow, Orkney's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 8-14°C, warmest July, August, September.
The *Minsk* sits upright at 50 metres, a substantial, if less visited, Scapa Flow wreck. We’re talking about a steamship here, built in 1911, torpedoed in 1940. It’s a proper expedition dive, often requiring calm conditions to make the most of the bottom time. The sheer scale of the hull is impressive, and down there, you’ll find plenty of plumose anemones, their white tentacles swaying gently in the gloom. Visibility can be decent on a good day, but this is cold water diving, so plan your gas carefully and bring a good torch to pick out the details of its triple expansion engine. It’s a dive for those with solid experience, ready for a deeper, darker exploration away from the more famous German fleet.
Typical MINSK Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Maximum depth 50m exceeds recreational limits (40m). Technical diving certification and equipment required.
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.
Reviews for MINSK
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for MINSK
MINSK Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for MINSK, 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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