Wreck of Premier
Protected Area
Foveran Links
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 Premier offers some of Scapa Flow, Orkney's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 8-14°C, warmest July, August, September.
Diving the HMS Sunfish always feels like stepping back in time, and for us, that’s its real draw. This 1936 S-class submarine lies broken in two, a result of a tragic friendly fire incident in 1944. Dropping down, you hit the bow section first, often greeted by schools of pollock swirling in the midwater. We particularly love poking around the conning tower area; it’s fairly intact, offering some interesting swim-throughs if you're comfortable with overhead environments. The stern section, a short swim away, is more mangled but just as atmospheric. Everywhere you look, the wreck is covered in a thick carpet of sea stars and anemones, with four-bearded rockling often tucked into crevices. Visibility here can be a bit of a gamble, typical for the North Sea, but on a good day, the sheer scale of the Sunfish is impressive. It’s a dive for those who appreciate history and don't mind a bit of a current, offering a tangible link to a bygone era.
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.
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Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Wreck of Premier
Wreck of Premier Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Wreck of Premier, 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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