

The James Barrie is a shallow reef dive located within the Scapa Flow Wrecks area of the Orkney Isles. Accessible by boat, this site is suitable for newly certified divers. Divers can expect depths to remain minimal, with visibility ranging from 10 to 30 metres. A moderate current is typically present, providing some movement throughout the dive. Due to water temperatures ranging between 7 and 13 degrees Celsius, a drysuit or a thick wetsuit is essential regardless of the season. Local conditions should be monitored closely as visibility can be variable. Always confirm boat charter availability in the Orkney Isles before planning your visit.
58.81278, -3.03682
The wreck is a slack water dive, and the dive window can be up to 40 minutes on good days.
Requires a boat trip from Stromness, taking about 2 hours to reach the mouth of Hoxa Sound.
Recorded at this site
Visibility
10-30m
Entry
Boat
Boat required
Water Temp
7-13°C
Current
Moderate
Best Time
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Yes, the site is considered suitable for newly certified divers due to its minimal depths and manageable conditions.
The site is a shallow reef dive with minimal depths, keeping divers well within comfortable limits.
No, the James Barrie is accessed by boat.
A drysuit or a thick wetsuit is essential year-round, as water temperatures remain cold even during the summer months.
Visibility ranges from 10 to 30 metres, and a moderate current is usually present. Water temperatures fluctuate between 7 and 13 degrees Celsius throughout the year.
The best months to visit James Barrie in Stromness are May, June, July, August, and September. Conditions outside these months can still be good but are less predictable.