Wreck of Boston Heron - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The Boston Heron, one of Scapa Flow's smaller, shallower wrecks, often gets overlooked for the behemoth battleships. Big mistake. We think this trawler is a brilliant dive, especially for those looking to get comfortable on a wreck without feeling overwhelmed by scale or depth. She sits upright, pretty much intact, with a visible stern, bow, and wheelhouse. Our favourite part is the wheelhouse, still standing proud, where you can peer through empty windows into the control room. The interior is surprisingly open, letting you explore with natural light filtering through, revealing the slow creep of anemones and dead man’s fingers across bulkheads. Around the deck, we've spotted squat lobsters tucked into crevices and plump wrasse nosing around the superstructure. It's a great spot for honing your wreck penetration skills in a relatively safe environment, and often, the currents here are far more forgiving than on the deeper sites. We’d suggest a slack water dive for the best visibility.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
57.850845, -6.697956
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Luskentyre Banks and Saltings

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 Boston Heron

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 Boston Heron

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