Dive Sites
The main attraction to Scapa Flow is the WWI German Fleet, entombed in the still green waters since 1919 following their scuttling by Admiral Von Reuter.
Three 25,388 tonne battleships, four light cruisers and numerous other sites related to the sinking lie within the main body of the Flow - all offering fantastic diving.
Covered in life, massive guns and breathtaking levels of preservation means these wrecks have something for everyone.
The legendary Burra Sound contains the wrecks of many vessels used as block ships to prevent access by enemy vessels. They are now washed by the clear waters of the Atlantic causing an explosion of life and outstanding visibility.
Scapa Flow Wrecks
(Click on the name of the vessel for further information)
The German Fleet
SMS König
SMS Markgraf
SMS Kronprinz Wilhelm
SMS Cöln
SMS Brummer
SMS Dresden
SMS Karlsruhe
Other Wrecks
The F2 & Barge YC21
Burra Sound Block Ships
Burra Sound is a narrow channel at the top of Scapa Flow. It contains the wrecks of many vessels used as block ships to prevent access to the Flow by enemy vessels. They are now washed by the clear waters of the Atlantic, causing an explosion of life and outstanding visibility. The tide races through here at about 5 knots so the diving must be done at slack water.
Gobernador Bories
A
Chilean steamer sunk in its present position in 1915.
She displaced 2,333 tons when afloat but know lies on the bottom in 18 metres
of water with a list to port. The stern and bow post sections are still
intact but the midships area is fairly broken. This allows easy access
in to the inner areas of the wreck. The wreck still has her large iron
propeller and rudder in place.
Doyle
A Belfast registered steamer sunk in Burra Sound in 1940. Very similar
in size and layout to the Gobernador, the 1,761 ton Doyle sits in 16 metres
of water with a list to port. Her bow section is intact and allows easy access
to the forward hold and fore peak. The propeller and rudder are still in
place.
Tabarka
The biggest of the remaining diveable blockships lies upside down
in 14 metres off water. Originally sunk at what is now the first Churchhill
Barrier, she was raised and re-sunk in Burra Sound at the start of world
war two. There are several holes blasted in to the side of the wreck to aid
sinking which provides excellent access to the interior of the ship. The
whole dive can be spent inside the wreck with the triple expansion engine
and the boilers all visible.
Burra Sound Drift
This can be done just after low water slack, drifting
with the first of the flood tide. If you are lucky you will see the three
blockships mentioned above as well as the remains of several others which
have either broken up or been dispersed. These include the Inverlane,
the
Budrie, Urmstone Grange, Rotherfield,
and Ronda, all sunk during the First
or Second World Wars.
Scenic Diving
Orkney is famous for its prolific wreck sites. What is often overlooked is the fact that its pristine waters and dramatic rock formations provide some spectacular scenic diving. Cliff faces, huge boulders and storm gullies, kelp forests and marl beds all support an abundant variety of marine life. Sites include Stanger Head, Inganess and the Kame of Hoy.
Most of these sites are outside Scapa Flow and can be weather dependant. Depths vary from 12 - 40 metres.
Other Dives
Other dives within Scapa Flow include many different wrecks sunk both during the wars and after, these include;
The remaining scrap sites of the German Fleet - 11 sites containing the leftovers of the salvage work. The largest of these is the Bayern Gun Turrets. The salvage of the Bayern left the four 15 inch main gun turrets lying on the sea bed in 36 - 40 metres off water.
Also the remains of the destroyers V83 and S54 remain in shallow water.
Two civilian ships which were under the command of the royal navy , the Strathgarry, a boom defence vessel sunk in 60m in Hoxa Sound, and the Rodean (ex-Roebuck), a former passenger ship converted to minesweeping sunk in Longhope bay in 15m of water. This was dispersed due to navigation hazards, but a good chunk of the ship remains.
The James Barrie was a Hull registered steam trawler which hit the Pentland Skerries and sunk whilst being towed into Scapa flow. She lies on her starboard side in 40m off water normally in very good visibility.
Also in Hoxa Sound is the wreck of the UB116 a U-boat which was depth charged near the end of the war. Unfortunately a botched salvage attempt in the 1970’s has blown the wreck apart - however much remains of the wreck, again with good visibility.
