Wreck of Hearty
Protected Area
Strathy Point
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 Hearty offers some of Scapa Flow, Orkney's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 8-14°C, warmest July, August, September.
The SMS *Hearty* really gives you a feel for Scapa Flow's history, even if it isn't one of the colossal battleships. Lying on its starboard side, largely intact, this torpedo boat destroyer has been down since 1919 and it shows. We love finning along her length, seeing the davits and winches still in place, covered in a thick carpet of plumose anemones. It's an atmospheric dive, often with that classic green Scapa glow filtering through the water. You'll find plenty of inquisitive wrasse darting around the superstructure, and if you look closely, nudibranchs grazing on the encrusting sponges. We'd suggest taking your time exploring the deck fittings and imagining the crew’s final moments. It’s a shallower wreck, perfect for divers wanting to extend their bottom time and really soak in the unique vibe of a Scapa Flow relic.
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.
Reviews for Wreck of Hearty
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Wreck of Hearty
Wreck of Hearty Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Wreck of Hearty, 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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