S52 - Scapa Flow, Orkney
The S52 destroyer lies in a relatively shallow part of Scapa Flow, making it a great introduction to the area’s famous wrecks. Sitting at just 11 metres, she’s well broken up, but you can still make out her bow and stern sections, along with some of the engine room components. We often find schooling saithe darting through the remains, and plenty of plumose anemones clinging to the metalwork, a vibrant splash of colour against the steel. While it’s not a penetration dive, there's enough structure to explore for an hour, especially if you’re keen on photography in the often moody Scapa light. It’s an accessible dive, suitable for most open water divers, and a good one to warm up on before tackling the deeper giants.
- Location
- Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
- Coordinates
- 58.852085, -3.183790
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 11m
Marine Protected Area: Hoy
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
- 090 - 26m (wreck)
- AASE - 60m (wreck)
- ABERDEEN CITY - 5m (wreck)
- AC6 - 5m (wreck)
- ACHILLES - 32m (wreck)
- ACTIVE - 42m (wreck)
- Aith Baa (reef)
- ALABAMA - 12m (wreck)
- ALCORA (POSSIBLY) - 40m (wreck)
- ALMERIA - 5m (wreck)
- ANDALINA - 8m (wreck)
- ANDRIAS - 27m (wreck)
- ANVERS - 52m (wreck)
- AORANGI - 5m (wreck)
- ARCADIA - 30m (wreck)
Nearest Dive Centres to S52
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
- Protestant (Clupea harengus) - Reef Fish
- Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) - Reef Fish
- Cowfish (Tursiops truncatus) - Whales & Dolphins
- whiting (Merlangius merlangus) - Reef Fish
- dab (Limanda limanda) - Reef Fish
- harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) - Whales & Dolphins
- grey gurnard (Eutrigla gurnardus) - Reef Fish
- long rough dab (Hippoglossoides platessoides) - Reef Fish
- dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula) - Sharks & Rays
- Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) - Reef Fish
- poor cod (Trisopterus minutus) - Reef Fish
- sprat (Sprattus sprattus) - Reef Fish
- Common minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) - Whales & Dolphins
- Split (Scomber scombrus) - Reef Fish
- Norway Lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) - Crabs & Lobsters
- Common dragonet (Callionymus lyra) - Reef Fish
- lesser argentine (Argentina sphyraena) - Reef Fish
- white-beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) - Whales & Dolphins
- Common sea star (Asterias rubens) - Starfish
- Soldier (Chelidonichthys cuculus) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for S52
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