Wreck of Ben Tarbert - Scapa Flow, Orkney

Forget the big German battleships for a moment. If you want a taste of a true Scapa Flow wreck, one that feels completely absorbed by the sea, the Ben Tarbert is our pick. It’s a trawler, sank in 1939, and lies in about 15 to 20 metres, so it’s a friendly depth for extended bottom times. What we love here is the sheer density of colour that’s taken over the steel. You drop onto the deck, and it’s a living canvas of plumose anemones, dead man's fingers, and soft corals. We’ve spent whole dives just slowly finning over the wheelhouse, peeking into cargo holds, spotting squat lobsters tucked into every crevice. You’ll see ling and conger eels often lurking in the darker spaces. It’s a wreck that invites close inspection, a slow drift over a truly colonised structure. This is for divers who appreciate the quiet beauty of a wreck reclaimed, rather than those hunting for grand scale. We'd suggest aiming for a slack tide window; the currents here can pick up, making it a less enjoyable drift over the delicate growth.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
57.496820, -1.773916
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Bullers of Buchan Coast

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 Wreck of Ben Tarbert

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 Wreck of Ben Tarbert

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