ANVERS - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The Anvers is a proper deep dive, sitting straight up on the seabed at 52 metres. It's a World War II casualty, bombed by aircraft, and you can really feel that history when you’re down there. We love the sheer scale of her, a huge steamship at over 116 metres long, so you’re never going to see it all in one dive. What we focus on are the massive boilers and the propeller, which is often surprisingly clear, especially on a slack tide. The hull is torn in places, creating interesting swim-throughs for the experienced, but mostly we stick to the exterior, admiring the sheer bulk of it. Look out for the resident wrasse and ling; they treat this wreck like their own private apartment block. It’s a dive for those comfortable with depth and a bit of dark, silty exploration, offering a different kind of beauty to the more famous German fleet wrecks.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
57.716408, -1.818365
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
52m

Wreck History - ANVERS

Year Sunk
1940
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
war action
Tonnage
4,955 GRT

The SS Anvers was a Belgian steam cargo ship built in 1920. At the outbreak of the Second World War, she was requisitioned by the British Ministry of War Transport to aid the Allied effort. On November 13, 1940, while at anchor in the supposedly safe naval harbour of Scapa Flow, the Anvers became the target of a German air raid. A bomb found its mark, and the vessel quickly sank, settling on the seabed. Fortunately, all of her crew were rescued before she went down.

Today, the Anvers lies on its port side in 52 metres of water, making it a serious undertaking reserved for experienced technical divers. Due to its depth, the site is often dark, with visibility that can be challenging. The wreck is largely intact, a hulking shadow rising from the seabed, but its status as a designated 'Dangerous Wreck' means divers must exercise extreme caution. Exploring this deep piece of wartime history is a rewarding but demanding dive that offers a glimpse into the perils faced even within the heart of Britain's most fortified naval base.

Marine Protected Area: Cairnbulg to St Combs Coast

Best Time to Dive in Scapa Flow, Orkney

The warmest water temperatures in Scapa Flow, Orkney occur in January, averaging 8.4°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 8.4°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 8.4°C (air: 5.5°C)
  • February: 8.4°C (air: 5.3°C)
  • March: 8.4°C (air: 5.9°C)
  • April: 8.4°C (air: 6.8°C)
  • May: 8.4°C (air: 9.7°C)
  • June: 8.4°C (air: 12.4°C)
  • July: 8.4°C (air: 13.2°C)
  • August: 8.4°C (air: 13.7°C)
  • September: 8.4°C (air: 12.7°C)
  • October: 8.4°C (air: 10.2°C)
  • November: 8.4°C (air: 8.0°C)
  • December: 8.4°C (air: 5.8°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Scapa Flow, Orkney

Nearest Dive Centres to ANVERS

Marine Life in Scapa Flow, Orkney

Home to 155 recorded species including 63 reef fish, 17 whales & dolphins, 12 sharks & rays, 11 crabs & lobsters, 11 other, 10 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for ANVERS

Based on average water temperature of 8.4°C.

  • Drysuit - water at 8°C demands a drysuit with thermal undergarments
  • Hood & Gloves (7mm+) - critical to prevent heat loss
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories