Back in the Water: Snorkelling in Scapa Flow

Yesterday was a milestone for me, the first time I’ve been back in the sea since being unwell, and what better place to dive back in than Scapa Flow, Orkney. Even better, I got to share the adventure with my Finnish friend Jenny, who lives on Orkney and is a Marine Biologist and was just as excited to explore the waters here.

The sea was a refreshing 15 degrees, crisp enough to wake every sense but not too cold once I wriggled into my wetsuit. With my face mask secure, GoPro in hand, and that familiar anticipation fizzing through me, I slid into the water and instantly felt alive again.

The first thing that struck me was the clarity of the water. Orkney is famous for it, but to see it with my own eyes with shafts of sunlight piercing deep, every ripple of sand and seaweed perfectly visible was breath taking.

Then came the magic. Jellyfish drifting lazily by, their translucent bodies catching the light like living lanterns. Clouds of plankton shimmered all around, a reminder of how alive these waters are. Every movement brought something new into view: strands of kelp swaying in the current, tiny fish darting between them, the whole scene like an underwater forest.

Somewhere between floating with the jellyfish and watching the sunlight dance through the water, I got very emotional. After everything, to be here again, suspended in this living world beneath the waves, I truly felt alive again.

Snorkelling here isn’t just about looking at what’s under the surface — it’s about the

feeling.

That rush of cool water around you, the sound of your own breath in the snorkel, the sudden surprises when a jellyfish floats past your mask. Yesterday was more than just a swim; it was a celebration of being back, of health, of friendship, and of the raw beauty Orkney offers beneath the waves.

Coming out of the water, wetsuit dripping, I couldn’t stop smiling. It wasn’t just snorkelling, it was freedom, and a reminder that adventure is always waiting, even when life pauses for a while.