VESPER - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The Vesper, a fishing vessel that went down in 1969, is a fantastic Scapa Flow dive if you’re looking for something a bit different from the battleships. Sitting upright at 28 metres, she’s relatively small at 13 metres long, but that just means you get a real sense of her scale as you descend. We love the feeling of swimming over her deck, imagining the crew going about their daily work. The wheelhouse is a highlight, still largely intact, and you can easily peer inside, often finding a curious wrasse staring back. What we find particularly charming about the Vesper is how completely she's been adopted by the local marine life; the hull is covered in anemones and dead man’s fingers, and we often spot conger eels tucked into various nooks. Visibility can vary, but on a good day, the light filtering through the Orkney water gives the whole wreck a wonderfully atmospheric glow. It’s a superb dive for macro enthusiasts and anyone wanting a more intimate wreck experience away from the larger, busier sites.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
59.949497, -1.251910
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
28m

Marine Protected Area: Mousa to Boddam

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 VESPER

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 VESPER

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