Wreck of Clestrain Sound, Scapa Flow, Orkney - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The Lofoten Islands are more known for their dramatic peaks and freezing fjords than their wrecks, but the HMS Hunter offers a compelling reason to bundle up. This isn't some pristine, intact time capsule; she's broken, tangled, and spread across the seabed, a testament to the chaos of a naval battle. We love picking through the debris field, imagining the moments she went down in April 1940. You’ll find sections of the hull, twisted metal, and the occasional recognizable fitting emerging from the silty bottom. It’s a site for divers who appreciate history and the slow reclamation by the ocean, not necessarily for those chasing bright corals. The marine life here isn't flashy, but it's rugged. Thick-bodied Atlantic cod weave through the superstructure, and saithe dart in and out of the shadows. Visibility can be a bit of a gamble, often swinging from decent to somewhat murky, which only adds to the atmospheric gloom of the wreck. Dive this one for the story it tells, for the connection to wartime history beneath the cold northern waves.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
58.931454, -3.247598
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Hoy and West Mainland

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 Clestrain Sound, Scapa Flow, Orkney

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 Clestrain Sound, Scapa Flow, Orkney

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