Wreck of Arcturus
Protected Area
Bullers of Buchan Coast
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) - Wreck of Arcturus offers some of Scapa Flow, Orkney's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 8-14°C, warmest July, August, September.
Diving the Arcturus in Scapa Flow is less about grand, intact structures and more about an intimate exploration of a ship coming apart. We love that it’s scattered, almost like a puzzle waiting to be pieced together in your mind. You’ll descend into a world of twisted metal, with plates peeling back like pages, creating fantastic nooks for the local critters. Look closely for the wolfish lurking in the gloom, their eyes glinting, and we've spotted some impressive ling slinking through the larger gaps. It's a proper rummage, best suited for divers who enjoy poking around and appreciating the smaller details rather than swimming along a full deck. The visibility here can be… moody, so bring a good torch and keep your buoyancy dialled in. We'd suggest going at slack tide; it makes navigating the debris field much more pleasant.
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 Wreck of Arcturus
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Wreck of Arcturus
Wreck of Arcturus Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Wreck of Arcturus, 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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