United Kingdom · Atlantic
Best time to dive Scapa Flow
Wrecks of the German High Seas Fleet scuttled in 1919. The season runs roughly Easter to early November (most operators May–September); water 6–14 °C, drysuit essential; visibility around 10 m in summer, improving in autumn.
Peak season: April–October
Overall diving, month by month
Balanced scoring · forecasts include the 2026/27 El Niño outlook
Confidence: Nov high · Dec high · Jan medium · Feb medium · Mar medium · Apr medium · May medium · Jun medium · Jul medium · Aug medium · Sep medium · Oct medium · Nov medium · Dec medium
What's good when
Each attribute scored 0–10 for every month
| Nov2026 | Dec | Jan2027 | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pelagic & big animals | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Macro life | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Coral & reef health | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Visibility | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| Water temperature | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Weather & sea state | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Operations & access | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 1 |
| Wreck diving | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Water temperature & visibility
| Month | Water | Visibility |
|---|---|---|
| November 2026 | 10.5 °C (51 °F) | 8–12 m |
| December 2026 | 9.0 °C (48 °F) | 5–10 m |
| January 2027 | 8.0 °C (46 °F) | 5–10 m |
| February 2027 | 7.5 °C (46 °F) | 5–10 m |
| March 2027 | 7.5 °C (46 °F) | 5–10 m |
| April 2027 | 8.0 °C (46 °F) | 8–12 m |
| May 2027 | 9.0 °C (48 °F) | 8–15 m |
| June 2027 | 10.5 °C (51 °F) | 8–15 m |
| July 2027 | 12.0 °C (54 °F) | 8–12 m |
| August 2027 | 13.0 °C (55 °F) | 8–12 m |
| September 2027 | 13.0 °C (55 °F) | 10–15 m |
| October 2027 | 12.0 °C (54 °F) | 10–15 m |
| November 2027 | 10.5 °C (51 °F) | 8–12 m |
| December 2027 | 9.0 °C (48 °F) | 5–10 m |
Marine life calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| seals | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
Peak = best odds · ● = regularly seen · blank = unlikely. Calendar months, every year.
About the diving
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Current strength
- 2 / 5
- Luxury level
- 1 / 5
- Typical depth
- 10–45 m
- Max depth of interest
- 45 m
- Dive styles
- Liveaboard, Day boat
- Suggested certification
- Advanced Open Water + drysuit (deep wrecks: technical)
- Nearest airport
- KOI
- Snorkelling
- Limited
- Known for
- seals, plumose anemones
Famous sites: SMS Markgraf · SMS Kronprinz Wilhelm · SMS Cöln · Burra Sound blockships
Season notes & sources
- Wrecks of the German High Seas Fleet scuttled in 1919. The season runs roughly Easter to early November (most operators May–September); water 6–14 °C, drysuit essential; visibility around 10 m in summer, improving in autumn.