Wreck of Wilston
Protected Area
Copinsay
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 Wilston offers some of Scapa Flow, Orkney's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 8-14°C, warmest July, August, September.
The Wilston, one of Scapa Flow’s lesser-dived blockships, offers a genuinely moody experience. It’s not about bright colours here, it's about the sheer scale of history and the creatures that have made it home. We love dropping onto the stern, watching the profile of the ship emerge from the gloom. You can easily spend an entire dive exploring the holds, a maze of twisted metal and dark corners, so make sure your torch is fully charged. Visibility can be hit or miss, but even on an average day, the atmosphere is incredible. Keep an eye out for the resident conger eels, often found peeking from pipework, and we’ve spotted wolf-fish lurking in the deeper, darker sections. This is a dive for those who appreciate the quiet drama of a historical wreck, where the marine life adds to, rather than distracts from, the story of the ship. We'd suggest pairing it with a slack tide, which makes navigating the holds much more comfortable.
Typical Wreck of Wilston Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
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 Wilston
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Wreck of Wilston
Wreck of Wilston Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Wreck of Wilston, 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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