TERN
Protected Area
Pentland Firth Islands
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) - TERN offers some of Scapa Flow, Orkney's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 8-14°C, warmest July, August, September.
The *TERN* is a good, straightforward wreck dive in Scapa Flow, sitting upright on a rocky seabed at 20 meters. This old fishing vessel, sunk in 1976 after running aground, is fairly intact, offering plenty of nooks and crannies to peer into. We've found the wheelhouse a particularly interesting spot, now home to plump wrasse and inquisitive conger eels. It’s a comfortable dive for those looking for an accessible wreck experience, with generally mild currents. You'll often see schools of saithe swirling around the mast, and the rocky surrounds give way to an abundance of anemones and sea squirts coating the hull.
Typical TERN Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Depth of 20m - Advanced Open Water certification recommended.
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 TERN
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Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for TERN
TERN Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for TERN, 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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