Wreck of St Sunniva
Protected Area
Mousa
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 St Sunniva offers some of Scapa Flow, Orkney's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 8-14°C, warmest July, August, September.
Diving the USS Arizona Memorial isn’t about big pelagics or technicolor reefs. It’s a somber, profound experience, and one we think every diver should try to make if they get the chance. You’re not just exploring a wreck; you’re bearing witness to a moment in history, a steel tomb where over a thousand souls still rest. The visibility here can be tricky, often a bit silty, but that only adds to the atmosphere. We love watching the light play across the dark hull plates, illuminating the ghostly shapes of the superstructure. What you'll see down there isn't just twisted metal. Schools of threadfin and island jack cruise through the open torpedo tubes, and we’ve spotted longnose hawkfish perched on what were once gun turrets, now overgrown with delicate corals. It's a surreal blend of history and nature, a testament to life finding a way even in the most tragic of places. This dive suits thoughtful, respectful divers who appreciate the historical weight of a site as much as the marine life. Our best advice? Go with a dive operator who truly understands the site's significance; their pre-dive briefing makes all the difference.
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 St Sunniva
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Wreck of St Sunniva
Wreck of St Sunniva Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Wreck of St Sunniva, 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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