MURIEL - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The MURIEL. Now, there’s a wreck with a story, even amongst Scapa’s giants. Lying at 46 meters, she’s a steamship torpedoed by UC-58 in 1918, sinking in a frantic 12 minutes with a cargo of coal. When we drop down, the first thing you notice is how intact she is, despite the violent end. Her bow points purposefully, and the holds are still stuffed with coal, glistening black in your torch beam. We love the dramatic scale of her, the way the light filters down through the Orkney green, painting the structure in muted tones. Look closely, and you’ll spot plumose anemones clinging to every surface, their tentacles swaying gently in the slight current, and often a fat ling or two peering out from a shadowed corner. Our favourite part is exploring the engine room, a real maze of collapsing machinery that gives you a sense of the chaos as she went down. This dive is definitely for experienced cold-water wreck enthusiasts; the depth and potential for low visibility mean you need to be comfortable in overhead environments. Go on a slack tide for the best chance to really soak it all in.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
57.549760, -1.768373
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
46m

Marine Protected Area: Loch of Strathbeg

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 MURIEL

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 MURIEL

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