PARAGON - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The Paragon, resting at 23 metres in Scapa Flow, is a personal favourite of ours, a real standout despite its smaller size. She’s a fishing vessel, sunk in 1994, and while she went down unattended in Loch Broom, she now provides a fantastic, accessible dive here. We love how intact she remains, lying mostly upright, a proper little time capsule of maritime industry. Swimming over her, you can still make out the outline of her deck, the winch gear, even the steering house, all softened by decades of growth. The metalwork is draped in dead man's fingers and colourful jewel anemones, creating a painterly tapestry of orange and white against the steel. Inside, if you fin gently, the hold offers a dark, moody exploration, often home to inquisitive cod and ling peeking from the gloom. It’s a site that suits divers who appreciate a well-preserved wreck and don't need huge scale to find real interest. Come here on a calm day, and the ambient light filtering through the Orkney green water makes her truly beautiful.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
57.890354, -5.148471
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
23m

Marine Protected Area: Cailleach Head

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 PARAGON

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 PARAGON

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