USTETIND - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The *Ustetind* isn't a deep dive, by any stretch – you’re barely getting your fins wet, maxing out at a metre. But don’t let that fool you. This is an absolutely unique Scapa experience, a proper wreck that just happens to sit at the intertidal zone. We love how the wreck is broken up, her ribs and plates scattered across the sand and amongst the rocks at Silwick. What really gets us about the *Ustetind* is the light. Diving a wreck this shallow, particularly on a sunny day, is a completely different ballgame. Sunlight filters through the water, illuminating every rusted bolt and twisted plate. You can spend ages just tracing the outline of her collapsed bow, watching the small crabs scuttle through the crevices. It’s an ideal site for macro photography, or for anyone who fancies a snorkel with a proper piece of history right below them. The *Ustetind* is a reminder that Scapa’s history isn’t all about big battleships in the depths; sometimes, the best stories are found right on the shoreline.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
60.166134, -1.485230
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
1m

Marine Protected Area: Shetland

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 USTETIND

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 USTETIND

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