SS Otway
Protected Area
North Rona and Sula Sgeir
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) - SS Otway offers some of Scapa Flow, Orkney's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 8-14°C, warmest July, August, September.
The SS Otway sits upright in Scapa Flow, an impressive sight for any wreck enthusiast. We’ve found her to be less visited than some of the bigger German fleet wrecks, which can be a real bonus if you’re looking for a quieter dive. Built in 1908 as a passenger liner, she was converted to an armed merchant cruiser before being sunk by a U-boat in 1917. You’ll find the bow and stern sections still quite intact, with penetration possible for appropriately trained divers through cargo holds and accommodation blocks. Keep an eye out for conger eels in the deeper sections and the usual suspects of Scapa – wrasse, blennies, and the occasional inquisitive seal – around the superstructure. It’s a solid dive, particularly good if you appreciate the history and scale of these older vessels without the crowds.
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.
Reviews for SS Otway
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for SS Otway
SS Otway Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for SS Otway, 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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