Wreck of St Catherine - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The Martis, one of Scapa Flow's smaller German destroyers, often gets overlooked for its bigger cousins, but that’s precisely why we love it. It’s a fantastic wreck for divers who want to get a real feel for exploring without the crowds or the heavy currents that can plague some of the other sites. We’ve always found the Martis to be a wonderfully approachable dive, sitting upright and relatively intact in around 24 meters, making it great for extended bottom times. You'll fin through the superstructure, often with schooling blackfish swirling around the bridge area. We particularly enjoy poking around the stern, where the torpedo tubes are still visible, and the deck guns are usually covered in a fuzzy blanket of sea squirts and anemones. Visibility here can vary, but on a good day, the light penetrating the holds creates an ethereal glow, illuminating dogfish tucked into crevices and delicate brittlestars clinging to metalwork. It’s not just about the history; it’s about watching the wreck slowly become a living reef.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
57.347000, -1.930280
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Sands of Forvie and Ythan Estuary

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 St Catherine

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 St Catherine

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