Orkney

“The marine environment is integral to Orkney’s community identity, people take quite a lot of pride in being able to say we have a really thriving ecosystem.” – Anonymous Orcadian, Oceans of Value

From sunken shipwrecks to shimmering seagrass, immerse yourself in Orkney’s pristine coastal waters.

Positioned at the meeting point of the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, the Orkney archipelago benefits from strong tidal currents that deliver essential nutrients, supporting diverse marine ecosystems. Wartime shipwrecks are a major draw for Orkney snorkellers, as are the Churchill Barriers which were built in WWII to prevent access to Scapa Flow by enemy submarines. While Orkney is renowned for its seabirds and marine mammals above water, there is an equally impressive array of life beneath the waves.

Stromness Museum, established by the Orkney Natural History Society in 1837, is one of Scotland’s oldest independent museums. Located right on the shore, the museum’s collections are intimately tied to Orkney’s maritime heritage. Explore over 90 species of marine molluscs, a variety of echinoderms (including starfish and urchins), and a selection of crustaceans. Examining these specimens up close will aid in identifying species during your snorkelling adventures.