ROSS TERN
Protected Area
Pentland Firth Islands
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) - ROSS TERN offers some of Scapa Flow, Orkney's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 8-14°C, warmest July, August, September.
The Ross Tern, a trawler that went down in 1973, is an easy dive in Scapa Flow, sitting in just 10 metres of water. We often recommend it as a good second dive of the day, or for anyone getting comfortable with wreck diving in the Flow’s often-chilly embrace. What you’ll find is a well-broken-up hull, scattered across the seabed, but still very much recognisable as a fishing vessel. Ling and small wrasse like to hang around the twisted metal, and the occasional inquisitive seal might pop by for a look. It’s a site that proves not every wreck needs to be deep or intact to be interesting, especially with good visibility and a bit of sunlight filtering through.
Typical ROSS TERN Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
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.
Nearest Dive Centres to ROSS TERN
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Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for ROSS TERN
ROSS TERN Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for ROSS TERN, 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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