ORMAZA - Scapa Flow, Orkney

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.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
58.487900, -6.222803
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
0m

Marine Protected Area: Loch na Cartach

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 ORMAZA

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 ORMAZA

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