OLIVE LEAF - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The Olive Leaf isn't one of Scapa Flow’s celebrated German fleet wrecks, but for us, it's a brilliant example of what makes diving in these waters so compelling. This old fishing trawler, sunk in 1974 after striking Proudfoot Rocks, now lies upright at 25 metres. We love how complete she still feels. You can swim around her wheelhouse, peer into the holds, and really get a sense of her working life before the sea claimed her. The visibility here can be excellent, especially on an incoming tide, letting you appreciate the scale of the wreck. It's a proper playground for torch beams. Crabs scuttle in crevices, plumose anemones bloom on every surface, and inquisitive conger eels often peek out from behind bent metal. This is a dive for those who appreciate history etched into steel, and who enjoy the colder water challenge. It’s a site that rewards careful exploration, not just a quick swim-through.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
58.439632, -3.053800
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
25m

Marine Protected Area: Long Berry Coast

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 OLIVE LEAF

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 OLIVE LEAF

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