Wreck of Sarah Alice - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The Wreck of the *Sarah Alice* might not grab headlines like the big German battleships in Scapa Flow, but we love this little steam trawler. She’s a proper dive for those who appreciate the smaller, more intimate wrecks. Descending onto her, you’re not met with grand scale, but with incredible detail: the boiler, still largely intact, stands proud, and the engine room offers some neat swim-throughs if you're comfortable with overhead environments. The *Sarah Alice* is a wreck that feels *lived in* by the sea; her metalwork is draped in dead man's fingers and anemones, and we often spot wolf fish peeking from crevices, alongside plump conger eels coiled in the deeper sections. It’s a dive that rewards slow exploration, peering into every nook for scuttling crabs or a shy octopus. We’d suggest tackling her on a slack tide, as the currents here can pick up, making for a much more relaxed and enjoyable poke around.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
59.829304, -1.502364
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Sumburgh Head

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 Sarah Alice

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 Sarah Alice

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