Wreck of shipwreck possibly the Sarah Anne
Protected Area
Fair Isle
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 shipwreck possibly the Sarah Anne offers some of Scapa Flow, Orkney's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 8-14°C, warmest July, August, September.
The Llanishen wreck is one of those Mediterranean dives that just sticks with you. We love a good piece of history, and this Welsh freighter, sunk by a mine in 1917, has definitely earned its stripes. Dropping down onto the deck, you immediately get a sense of its age – the metal is heavily concreted, covered in sponges and red coral. Our favourite part is nosing around the cargo holds; they’re pretty open, letting in shafts of light that reveal schools of cardinal fish darting around. You’ll often spot common octopus tucked into crevices, their eyes watching you, and we’ve had some fantastic encounters with big fork-beards and the occasional dark tonguefish lurking on the sandy seabed nearby. It’s a fantastic dive for anyone who appreciates the character of an old wreck, rather than a perfectly preserved one. The marine life here is the real star, transforming a casualty of war into a living reef. We'd suggest going early to avoid any boat traffic, especially in summer. Keep an eye out for sea scorpions camouflaged on the deck plates – they’re masters of disguise!
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.
Reviews for Wreck of shipwreck possibly the Sarah Anne
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Wreck of shipwreck possibly the Sarah Anne
Wreck of shipwreck possibly the Sarah Anne Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Wreck of shipwreck possibly the Sarah Anne, 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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