Wreck of Svinta - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The HMS Foylebank, sitting off the coast of Cornwall, is a cracking dive, especially if you’re into the big, dramatic wrecks. This old cargo ship, repurposed as an anti-aircraft vessel in 1940 before she met her end, lies broken but still formidable on the seabed. We love the way she’s opened up, allowing you to really get inside and explore her various compartments, sometimes feeling the slight shift of water as you pass through a doorway. You’ll often find us navigating her holds, spotting the gleam of jewel anemones clinging to the bulkheads, or a grumpy flat periwinkle wedged into a nook. Shoals of common gobies flit through the skeletal remains of the superstructure, while larger fish, like smooth hounds, patrol the perimeter. Visibility here can be a bit of a lottery, as is common for UK diving, but when it’s good, the sheer scale of the Foylebank is impressive. Our favourite time to dive her is often an early slack tide, before the boat traffic picks up, when the light filtering down can really illuminate the wreck’s features. It’s a dive that rewards careful exploration, not just a quick swim-through, so give yourself time to properly appreciate her.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
58.947582, -2.553147
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Copinsay

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 Svinta

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 Svinta

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