ORMAZA
Protected Area
Loch na Cartach
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) - ORMAZA offers some of Scapa Flow, Orkney's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 8-14°C, warmest July, August, September.
Ormaza isn't the grandest wreck in Scapa Flow, but it’s one of our favourite shore dives for a quick fix. This 40-metre trawler ran aground back in 1999 and now lies broken on the seabed, just off the Churchill Barriers. We love that it’s so accessible, making it an easy second dive or a good choice when the weather kicks up. Slip in from the shore and you’ll find the wreck well-broken, but still very recognisable as a fishing vessel. The stern section, with its intact propeller, is probably the most photogenic part. Look for the large resident wrasse that dart through the twisted metal. We often spot conger eels tucked into the darker crevices, and the whole site is carpeted in plumose anemones, especially on the more sheltered plates of steel. It’s an ideal spot for macro photography, or just an enjoyable potter around a piece of modern history. Suitable for divers comfortable with shore entries and navigating around fragmented structures.
Safety Notes
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.
Reviews for ORMAZA
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for ORMAZA
ORMAZA Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for ORMAZA, 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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