YC 21 - Scapa Flow, Orkney
The YC 21 barge, sunk in a gale in Gutter Sound back in '68, offers a solid, if not spectacular, dive at 14 metres. We’ve found her to be a dependable spot for a leisurely exploration, often with decent visibility for Scapa. The wreck itself is relatively intact, a good size for a single dive, with plenty of nooks and crannies for curious divers. Keep an eye out for the usual Scapa residents; we often spot wrasse darting around the structure and some surprisingly large crabs tucked into the plating. It’s a great site for newer wreck divers looking to get comfortable, or for anyone wanting a relaxed dive when the big German battleships feel a bit much.
- Location
- Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
- Coordinates
- 58.844723, -3.192677
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 14m
Marine Protected Area: Hoy
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
- 090 - 26m (wreck)
- AASE - 60m (wreck)
- ABERDEEN CITY - 5m (wreck)
- AC6 - 5m (wreck)
- ACHILLES - 32m (wreck)
- ACTIVE - 42m (wreck)
- Aith Baa (reef)
- ALABAMA - 12m (wreck)
- ALCORA (POSSIBLY) - 40m (wreck)
- ALMERIA - 5m (wreck)
- ANDALINA - 8m (wreck)
- ANDRIAS - 27m (wreck)
- ANVERS - 52m (wreck)
- AORANGI - 5m (wreck)
- ARCADIA - 30m (wreck)
Nearest Dive Centres to YC 21
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
- Protestant (Clupea harengus) - Reef Fish
- Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) - Reef Fish
- Cowfish (Tursiops truncatus) - Whales & Dolphins
- whiting (Merlangius merlangus) - Reef Fish
- dab (Limanda limanda) - Reef Fish
- harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) - Whales & Dolphins
- grey gurnard (Eutrigla gurnardus) - Reef Fish
- long rough dab (Hippoglossoides platessoides) - Reef Fish
- dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula) - Sharks & Rays
- Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) - Reef Fish
- poor cod (Trisopterus minutus) - Reef Fish
- sprat (Sprattus sprattus) - Reef Fish
- Common minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) - Whales & Dolphins
- Split (Scomber scombrus) - Reef Fish
- Norway Lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) - Crabs & Lobsters
- Common dragonet (Callionymus lyra) - Reef Fish
- lesser argentine (Argentina sphyraena) - Reef Fish
- white-beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) - Whales & Dolphins
- Common sea star (Asterias rubens) - Starfish
- Soldier (Chelidonichthys cuculus) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for YC 21
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