NEPTUNE - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The Neptune, a steel-hulled trawler, sits upright and largely intact in the eastern reaches of Scapa Flow. It’s a site we consistently recommend, especially for those looking to get a feel for the Flow’s wreck diving without the full commitment of a deeper, darker battleship. Dropping down, you’ll find her at a comfortable 15 metres, making for a long, relaxed bottom time. What we love most about the Neptune is her accessibility and how the marine life has completely reclaimed her. The bow section is particularly good, often draped in dead man's fingers and anemones. You can poke around the wheelhouse, still relatively open, imagining the crew caught in that fateful fog back in 1928. Keep an eye out for inquisitive conger eels peeking from beneath plates and enormous edible crabs scuttling across the deck. It’s a wreck that tells a story, yet feels alive with its new inhabitants. Our pick for a first dive in the Flow, or a satisfying second dive when you’re not quite up for another deep plunge.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
58.589966, -3.052433
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
15m

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 NEPTUNE

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 NEPTUNE

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