The Skares
Protected Area
Buchan Ness to Collieston
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) - The Skares offers some of Scapa Flow, Orkney's richest reef diving. Water ranges 8-14°C, warmest July, August, September.
Marisma offers a decent dive for those exploring the Florida Keys. We’ve found a healthy collection of corals here, with impressive examples of Maze Coral and Elliptical Star Coral forming the backbone of the reef. Look closer, and you’ll spot smaller residents like Butterbun and Doctorfish darting among the branches of Branched Finger Coral. It’s a comfortable dive, good for getting a few easy tanks in, and provides a solid snapshot of the Keys' reef ecosystem without throwing any curveballs.
Typical The Skares Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Cold water this month (avg 13°C). Drysuit or thick wetsuit (7mm+) recommended.
Reviews for The Skares
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for The Skares
The Skares Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for The Skares, 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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