Wreck of Mercator - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The Mercator is pure Scapa Flow character, a trawler sitting upright on a sandy bottom, broken but still whole enough to give you a real sense of its past life. We love how the deck machinery is still so identifiable, the winches and davits almost ready for another day’s fishing. Swim through the holds, which are surprisingly open and easy to navigate even for less experienced wreck divers, or peek into the superstructure. It's a fantastic training ground for getting comfortable inside overhead environments. Look for the resident pollack and cod darting in and out of the shadows, and we often find various colourful anemones clinging to the plates, a nice splash of colour against the rusted steel. The visibility here can be decent, especially on a settled day. We’d suggest a dive with a good torch; it really brings out the textures and the life tucked into every corner. Mercator offers a classic Scapa dive without the depths or currents of some of the bigger blockships, making it a great option for a second dive or for newer wreck enthusiasts.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
57.402960, -1.571796
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 Mercator

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 Mercator

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