ROTHERFIELD
Protected Area
Hoy and West Mainland
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) - ROTHERFIELD offers some of Scapa Flow, Orkney's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 8-14°C, warmest July, August, September.
The *Rotherfield* sits in Scapa Flow’s shallower reaches, a blockship sunk in 1914. At just 4 metres, it's a great spot for a relaxed dive, especially if you're looking to warm up or wind down. The wreck itself is quite broken up now, but you can still make out the two large boilers and the triple expansion engine, which are always interesting to explore. The steelwork provides plenty of nooks for small crabs and blennies, and you'll often spot wrasse darting between the plates. It’s a good option for newer divers, or anyone wanting to spend more time observing the smaller creatures without worrying about depth or deco limits.
Typical ROTHERFIELD 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 ROTHERFIELD
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Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for ROTHERFIELD
ROTHERFIELD Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for ROTHERFIELD, 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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