Scapa Flow vs St. Abbs — Dive Destination Comparison
Scapa Flow (United Kingdom) scores 53.7/100 vs St. Abbs's 52.1/100 in OkToDive's 12-category rating. Choose Scapa Flow for wreck diving with 5–15m visibility. Choose St. Abbs for wreck diving at ~$50/dive.
Last updated: 2026-07-22
Side-by-side comparison
| Metric | Scapa Flow | St. Abbs |
|---|---|---|
| OkToDive Score | 53.7/100 | 52.1/100 |
| Country | United Kingdom | United Kingdom |
| Visibility | 5--15m | 5--15m |
| Water temp | 6--13 C | 8--15 C |
| Max depth | 46m | 24m |
| Current | strong | moderate |
| Cost per 2-tank dive | $120 | $50 |
| Budget tier | mid range | mid range |
| Best months | May, June, July | June, July, August |
| Dive types | wreck, deep, technical | wreck, pelagic |
| Min certification | Advanced Open Water | Open Water |
| Key species | common seal, lobster, ballan wrasse | octopus, cuttlefish, seal |
| Google rating | 4.7 (1400 reviews) | 0 (0 reviews) |
Which should you choose?
Choose Scapa Flow when...
- + Wreck diving enthusiasts
- + Anyone visiting Europe for the first time
- + Groups seeking 15+ named dive sites in one area
Skip if
- - You're uncomfortable in strong currents
- - You don't have Advanced certification
- - You hate cold water — temps drop to 6°C
Choose St. Abbs when...
- + Wreck diving enthusiasts
- + Anyone visiting Atlantic for the first time
- + Groups seeking 10+ named dive sites in one area
Skip if
- - You hate cold water — temps drop to 8°C
- - You need shore access — this is boat-only
Bottom line
Scapa Flow wins on overall score (53.7 vs 52.1), but the right choice depends on your priorities. St. Abbs is more affordable ($50 vs $120/dive). St. Abbs has better peak visibility (15m vs 15m).