Pinnace 288 - Scapa Flow, Orkney

Pinnace 288. Scapa Flow. Say it out loud. It’s got a ring to it. We love this site. It’s not the big German battle cruisers, but it’s proper Scapa diving, and sometimes that's exactly what you want. She sits upright, pretty much intact at 33 metres, her bow pointing east, and the visibility here can be surprisingly good on a calm day – 10 metres isn't unheard of. Dropping down, the first thing you notice is the sheer volume of plumose anemones, especially around the stern. They just carpet everything in fluffy white, gently swaying. You can fin right along the deck, peeking into the small forward cabin, maybe spotting a grumpy ballan wrasse or a curious ling lurking in the shadows. The stern still has its propeller, and we’ve seen crabs tucked right up against it. This is a dive for taking your time, really appreciating the details of a smaller vessel, and picturing the chaos of that November day in 1917 when she broke free from HMS Valiant in heavy weather. A perfect second dive after one of the big boys, or just for soaking in the quiet history.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
58.860115, -3.091967
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
33m

Marine Protected Area: Switha

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 Pinnace 288

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 Pinnace 288

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