Wreck of Fairweather V - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The *Fairweather V* isn’t one of the Scapa Flow giants, but we love it for its unexpected charm. It's a trawler, sitting upright on the seabed, a little over 20 meters deep, so it's a brilliant second dive after one of the big German battleships. What you get here is a real sense of a working vessel, stripped back but still identifiable. You can poke around the wheelhouse, imagine the deck, and see the fishing gear scattered nearby. For us, the draw is the sheer amount of life that’s made this wreck home. It's absolutely plastered in plumose anemones, their white tentacles swaying like feathery dancers in the current, and the colours pop against the dark steel. Look closer, and you'll find crabs tucked into every crevice, blennies peering out from pipes, and often some decent-sized cod patrolling the perimeter. Visibility in Scapa is always a bit of a lottery, but even on an average day, the *Fairweather V* feels intimate and explorable. It’s perfect for those who appreciate a wreck that’s been truly reclaimed by the ocean, offering a different, quieter kind of history compared to its battleship neighbours.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
57.939148, -5.359026
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Cailleach Head

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 Fairweather V

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 Fairweather V

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