AORANGI - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The Aorangi isn't your deep, imposing Scapa Flow wreck; it's something different, a shallow, accessible piece of history that we absolutely adore. She’s a blockship, deliberately sunk in 1915, though not quite where they intended – she drifted a bit before settling. What you get now is a jumble of hull and superstructure, all at a maximum of five metres. We love how the shallow depth transforms this site. Sunlight filters through, illuminating the metalwork and the incredible growth of anemones and kelp. You’ll weave through beams and plates, feeling the gentle surge, spotting blennies and tiny crabs tucked into every crevice. It's a fantastic spot for photographers looking for interesting light and texture, or for anyone wanting a relaxed dive with a real sense of history without the deco obligations. Our favourite time to visit is on a slack tide, when the water is at its calmest and you can really take your time exploring the nooks. It’s a great introduction to Scapa’s wrecks, or a lovely way to end a day of deeper diving.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
58.890140, -2.863280
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
5m

Wreck History - AORANGI

Year Sunk
1915
Vessel Type
passenger ship
Cause
scuttled
Tonnage
4,268 GRT

The RMS Aorangi had a storied career long before she reached Scapa Flow. Built in 1883, she was a pioneering passenger and refrigerated cargo liner, one of the first ships to be fitted with refrigeration, serving routes between Britain, Australia, and New Zealand. By the time of the First World War, the aging liner was purchased by the Admiralty for a very specific and final purpose: to be scuttled as a blockship to protect the eastern entrances to the naval anchorage of Scapa Flow.

In September 1915, the scuttling charges were set, but the Aorangi refused to go quietly. The attempt to sink her in place was botched; she stubbornly stayed afloat, drifting on the tide before finally grounding and sinking in shallow water in the wrong position. This failure, however, created one of Scapa Flow's most popular and accessible dive sites. Lying in just 5 metres of water, her hull often breaks the surface at low tide. She is a perfect wreck for novice divers and snorkelers, offering a fantastic introduction to the history of the Flow, with abundant light and marine life now covering her weathered plates.

Marine Protected Area: Copinsay

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 AORANGI

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 AORANGI

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