Sources · Destination Guide

Scapa Flow (Orkney)

Descend through cold, clear history onto the warships of Scapa Flow

View On Map

Research Sources

Destination Guide Sources For Scapa Flow (Orkney)

Reference links used to build and maintain this guide.

27 sources • Updated Sep 5, 2026

Written by DiveJourney. Built from public sources and local operator knowledge. Last updated Sep 5, 2026.

Orkney.com - Diving - Official destination guidance on Scapa Flow wrecks, the Easter to early November dive season, water temperature, visibility, depth ranges, tides and local operators.
Scapa Flow Wrecks - Wrecks of Scapa Flow - Definitive local heritage project covering the seven remaining German High Seas Fleet wrecks, war graves, depths and protected status.
Scapa Flow Wrecks - Wildlife of Scapa Flow - Local heritage project describing wrecks as artificial reefs, seasonal blooms, fish life, seals and occasional summer basking sharks.
Scapa Flow Wrecks - Dive Boat Operators - Documents the local charter fleet, day-boat and liveaboard formats, shore training, gas support and range of experience levels.
Orkney Islands Council Marine Services - Recreational Diving Permission

Research Sources

Destination Guide Sources For Scapa Flow (Orkney)

Reference links used to build and maintain this guide.

27 sources • Updated Sep 5, 2026

Written by DiveJourney. Built from public sources and local operator knowledge. Last updated Sep 5, 2026.

Orkney.com - Diving - Official destination guidance on Scapa Flow wrecks, the Easter to early November dive season, water temperature, visibility, depth ranges, tides and local operators.
Scapa Flow Wrecks - Wrecks of Scapa Flow - Definitive local heritage project covering the seven remaining German High Seas Fleet wrecks, war graves, depths and protected status.
Scapa Flow Wrecks - Wildlife of Scapa Flow - Local heritage project describing wrecks as artificial reefs, seasonal blooms, fish life, seals and occasional summer basking sharks.
Scapa Flow Wrecks - Dive Boat Operators - Documents the local charter fleet, day-boat and liveaboard formats, shore training, gas support and range of experience levels.
Orkney Islands Council Marine Services - Recreational Diving Permission

- Current harbour permission form and conditions, including written approval, VTS reporting, protected wreck rules and controlled-site exclusions.

Scottish Government - Scapa Flow Historic Marine Protected Area Order 2025 - Official order creating the Historic Marine Protected Area, effective 1 November 2025.

Kraken Diving - Guided Dives - Local operator evidence for shallow Churchill Barrier dives, fleet-wreck prerequisites, drysuit expectations and scenic alternatives.

Orkney.com - Orkney Snorkel Trail - Official destination guide to six snorkel trail areas, beginner and advanced options, habitats and guided-tour advice.

Kraken Diving - Snorkel Safari - Local operator guidance on guided shore and boat snorkeling at Churchill Barriers, Finstown, Inganess Bay and weather-dependent cliff sites.

Orkney.com - Getting to Orkney - Official flight routes, ferry routes and approximate journey times.

Orkney.com - Getting Around - Official guidance on cars, hire vehicles, taxis, buses and inter-island transport.

Highlands and Islands Airports - Kirkwall Airport - Official airport information for Orkney's principal air gateway.

GOV.UK - Entering the UK - Official passport, visa and electronic travel authorisation guidance.

Orkney Islands Council - Orkney Visitor Levy - Official current status stating that an overnight visitor levy will not go ahead at this time.

Orkney Hyperbaric Trust - Official local chamber location, 24/7 hyperbaric cover and emergency-routing guidance.

NHS National Services Scotland - Hyperbaric Medicine Service - Official national description of the Aberdeen and Stromness hyperbaric service and 24/7 availability.

British Sub-Aqua Club - National DCI Helpline - Current UK and Scotland diving-incident contacts, including Coastguard VHF Channel 16 and the Scottish DCI helpline.

Orkney Museums - Scapa Flow Museum - Official museum information for the Lyness naval-history collection and visitor planning.

Orkney.com - Churchill Barriers - Official destination account of the causeways, blockships, beaches and links to the Italian Chapel.

Orkney.com - Winter in Orkney - Official seasonal guidance on stormy spells, calm winter days and quieter cultural travel.

Orkney.com - Puffin Spotting - Official wildlife timing for puffins, with arrivals in April and May, strongest viewing in June and July, and departure during August.

Orkney.com - Northern Lights - Official guidance on Orkney's low light pollution and the need for dark, clear skies without guarantees.

MV Huskyan - Scapa Flow Package - Operator evidence for the standard five-day diving and six-night shore-accommodation format, gas support and equipment hire.

MV Invincible - Scapa Flow Diving - Operator evidence for a fully equipped liveaboard format with recreational and technical gas support.

DiveJourney - SMS Coln, Scapa Flow - Internal spot page used for the destination's linked SMS Coln signature-site slug.

DiveJourney - SMS Markgraf - Internal spot page used for the destination's linked SMS Markgraf signature-site slug.

Destination hero photo by d kah - Photographer profile: https://unsplash.com/@d_kah