AORANGI

Good diving all year

Protected Area

Copinsay

Why dive here

With 140+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue whales, dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and ocean sunfish (mola mola) - AORANGI offers some of Scapa Flow, Orkney's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 8-14°C, warmest July, August, September.

Best timeYear-round

WetsuitA drysuit

Marine lifeBlue Whales, Dolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales and Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) · 140+ species recorded

Water8-14°C · warmest July, August, September

CharacterWreck dive · max 5m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

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.

Typical AORANGI Dive Profile

Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

Safety Notes

Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.

Cold water this month (avg 13°C). Drysuit or thick wetsuit (7mm+) recommended.

Today06:3917:1910h 40m daylightGolden hour 16:23

AORANGI Wreck History

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.