Scapa Flow
Scapa Flow · United Kingdom
Scapa Flow (; from Old Norse Skalpaflói 'bay of the long isthmus') is a body of water in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, sheltered by the islands of Mainland, Graemsay, Burray, South Ronaldsay and Hoy.
Conditions
Depth
10 to 30 m
Open water and up
Current
Can be moderate
Can pick up on the edge
Visibility
10 to 20 m
Clearest in the calm season
Water
4 to 16°C
Drysuit recommended year-round
Month by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water (°C) | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Vis (m) | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Current | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
Your chances of seeing each animal
European Green Crab
Last confirmed Jul 30, 2025 · 7 records
Very likely
Most dives
Garden Snail
Last confirmed Jun 17, 2026 · 10 records
Likely
About 6 in 10 dives
Edible Crab
Last confirmed Apr 8, 2026 · 3 records
Sometimes
About 1 in 3 dives
Plumose Anemone
Last confirmed May 5, 2025 · 1 records
Sometimes
About 1 in 3 dives
Common Sea Star
Last confirmed Apr 29, 2026 · 4 records
Sometimes
About 1 in 3 dives
Seven Armed Sea Star
Last confirmed May 5, 2025 · 1 records
Sometimes
About 1 in 3 dives
European Edible Sea Urchin
Last confirmed May 22, 2026 · 3 records
Sometimes
About 1 in 3 dives
Atlantic Dogwhelk
Last confirmed Sep 11, 2025 · 3 records
Sometimes
About 1 in 3 dives
Gear