Wreck of Fitful Head
Protected Area
East Mainland Coast, Shetland
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 Fitful Head offers some of Scapa Flow, Orkney's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 8-14°C, warmest July, August, September.
The MS Jan Heweliusz wreck off Bornholm isn't your average sunny, tropical dive. This is proper northern wreck diving, and we absolutely love it for that. The Heweliusz, a Polish ferry that capsized in a storm in 1993, now lies upside down in around 25-30 metres of water. It's a sombre place, steeped in history, but also a fantastic habitat. Dropping down, the sheer scale hits you. The hull, with its distinctive bow ramp, stretches out. You’ll often find yourself in low visibility, maybe 5-10 metres, which adds to the atmospheric gloom. We've often seen schools of Pollock darting through the superstructure, and lumpsuckers clinging to exposed metalwork. It’s cold water, so a drysuit is a given, but the adrenaline keeps you warm. Exploring the deck areas, now the underside, is disorienting but fascinating, with debris scattered around. It’s a dive for experienced wreck enthusiasts who appreciate the challenge and the raw history. Go in summer for the best chance of decent visibility.
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.
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Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Wreck of Fitful Head
Wreck of Fitful Head Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Wreck of Fitful Head, 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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