Wreck of Magician - Scapa Flow, Orkney

We admit it, the HMS Fiona isn't the showboat of Scapa Flow, but don't let that fool you. This isn't one of the big German battleships, it’s a Blockship, sunk deliberately in 1915 to protect the harbour. And that's exactly why we love it. The wreck sits upright, relatively intact, often bathed in that moody Scapa Flow light that filters down to around 15-20 meters. You can really get a sense of its original form, especially the bow and stern, which are still quite defined. Diving Fiona means navigating through her superstructure, where common lobsters peek from crevices, and the metalwork itself is now a home for North Sea tube anemones and those translucent light-bulb sea squirts. We’ve found cowfish drifting lazily past the deck guns, and the schools of small fish here can be surprisingly dense, darting around the mast, which still points towards the surface. It’s a calmer dive than some of the deeper, more exposed Scapa wrecks, making it a brilliant introduction to the area’s history, and frankly, a bit of a relief on a choppier day. It really suits divers who appreciate exploring a wreck with a clear structure and a decent amount of ambient light.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
57.523106, -1.798364
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 Magician

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 Magician

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