Wreck of Loch Wasdale - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The Loch Wasdale offers a genuinely unique dive in Scapa Flow, quite unlike the German High Seas Fleet. She’s a trawler, sunk in 1915 after hitting a mine, and that really changes the feel of the place. We love picking our way through her holds and engine room; it’s a more intimate experience than the battleships, almost like exploring an old house. You’ll find her resting on her port side, relatively intact, often swathed in schooling pollock. The bow section has some great swim-throughs, and we’ve found some surprisingly large conger eels tucked away in the darker corners. The site sits around 20-25 metres, making it accessible for advanced open water divers who are comfortable in low visibility and colder water. We’d suggest diving this one on a slack tide, which generally means better visibility and an easier exploration of the superstructure. It's a proper adventure, a real slice of history you can reach out and touch.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
57.478840, -1.768191
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Bullers of Buchan Coast

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 Loch Wasdale

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 Loch Wasdale

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