Wreck of St Gothard - Scapa Flow, Orkney

Diving the Mogami is a serious privilege. It’s not an easy wreck to reach, and its depth means it’s for advanced divers, but the reward is immense. We love how the ship sits upright, giving you a real sense of its scale. You descend into a deep blue, and then the dark silhouette slowly emerges, structures still largely intact despite the years underwater. Schools of jacks often swirl around the bow, a shimmering silver curtain, and we’ve seen marble rays cruising over the deck. Our favourite part is exploring the aft section, where you can peer into the mangled superstructure, imagining the ship's final moments. Keep an eye out for nudibranchs, particularly on the remaining deck guns. This isn’t a wreck for penetration, but simply swimming along its immense length, feeling the sheer history, is what makes it a standout. We’d suggest going early in the morning for the best visibility, before any thermoclines set in.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
59.713370, -1.806261
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Fair Isle

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 Gothard

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 Gothard

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