S 50
Protected Area
Switha
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) - S 50 offers some of Scapa Flow, Orkney's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 8-14°C, warmest July, August, September.
Dropping onto the S 50 in Scapa Flow, you’re greeted by the ghostly silhouette of a destroyer, scuttled back in 1919. It’s sitting pretty upright in about 13 metres of water, so it's a perfect dive for those newer to wreck exploration or anyone just wanting a relaxed dip into history. We always find the scale of these ships impressive, even after more than a century on the seabed. There's a decent amount of the structure still intact, with plenty of nooks and crannies to peer into, now home to curious wrasse and the occasional squat lobster. Visibility can be variable, as is typical for Orkney, but when it's good, you can really appreciate the lines of this venerable vessel. It’s a solid, interesting dive, delivering exactly what you’d expect from a Scapa Flow wreck without demanding too much.
Typical S 50 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.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
Nearest Dive Centres to S 50
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Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for S 50
S 50 Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for S 50, 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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