S 50 - Scapa Flow, Orkney

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.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
58.829582, -3.184910
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
13m

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 S 50

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 S 50

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