Wreck of Highcliffe
Protected Area
Papa Stour
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 Highcliffe offers some of Scapa Flow, Orkney's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 8-14°C, warmest July, August, September.
The ORP Kujawiak is a classic for a reason. We love how accessible this wreck is, sitting on a sandy bottom just off Comino, making it a solid choice when you’ve had enough of caves and want something with a bit of history. Dropping down, you’ll find the destroyer relatively intact, broken into three main sections. You can easily swim through the torpedo tubes and across the deck, imagining the chaos during its wartime demise. Sunlight filters through the water, illuminating schools of lesser argentine that swarm the superstructure, while painted combers dart in and out of the crevices. Look closely, and you’ll spot black gobies peeking from the nooks. It’s a comfortable wreck dive, not too deep, and without the strong currents that sometimes plague other sites, making it perfect for those wanting to explore a genuine piece of history without too much hassle. Our favourite time to visit is late morning; the light is just right to really pick out the detail on the deck gun.
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 Highcliffe
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Wreck of Highcliffe
Wreck of Highcliffe Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Wreck of Highcliffe, 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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