Wreck of May Island - Scapa Flow, Orkney

Diving the *May Island* in Scapa Flow, you’re not just exploring a wreck, you’re touching history. This blockship, deliberately sunk in 1914 to protect the naval anchorage, offers a genuinely unique dive. We love that the stern lies in shallower water, a stark skeletal framework, while the bow slopes deeper, allowing for different dive profiles depending on your comfort and air consumption. The structure itself is fascinating; you can weave through enormous, decaying hull plates and discover sections where the ocean has reclaimed the metal entirely, leaving ghostly outlines. What we especially enjoy here are the enormous plumose anemones, their fluffy white tentacles swaying gently in the mild currents, often covering entire sections of the wreck like a living carpet. Look closely, and you’ll spot wrasse darting between crevices and the occasional inquisitive seal pup circling overhead. This site really suits divers keen on exploring a piece of maritime history, with enough open structure to feel adventurous without being overly confined.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
60.815865, -0.758987
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Saxa Vord

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 May Island

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 May Island

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