PENNSYLVANIA - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The *Pennsylvania*, a steamship scuttled in 1931, offers a different flavour of Scapa Flow wreck diving. Forget deep, dark leviathans here. This is a shallow, sun-drenched playground. We love it because it’s a living history lesson you can literally reach out and touch. The wreck sits in just two metres of water, perfect for extended bottom times and ideal for new drysuit divers or anyone wanting to really absorb the details. You’ll find the triple expansion engine and three boilers still largely intact, covered in kelp and thick with small fish. Shoals of saithe often swirl around the larger structures, and if you look closely, butterfish and blennies peer from every crack. On a sunny day, the light plays through the water, making the metal glow. It’s a photographer’s dream and a perfect site for honing those buoyancy skills without the pressure of depth. We’d suggest going at high slack water; the visibility really opens up then, and you can spend an hour just drifting over the machinery, imagining the ship in its prime.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
58.747345, -3.067588
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
2m

Marine Protected Area: Pentland Firth Islands

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 PENNSYLVANIA

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 PENNSYLVANIA

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