B 109 (PART) - Scapa Flow, Orkney

There’s something about the partial wrecks of Scapa Flow that really gets us, and the B 109 is a prime example. This isn't your intact battleship, she’s been salvaged, leaving a fascinating, jumbled footprint on the seabed at just 12 metres. We love how the remaining plates and skeletal frames create a warren of swim-throughs, perfect for a long, relaxed dive. You’ll find walls of plumose anemones, their white tentacles swaying gently in the mild currents, and plenty of wrasse darting between the metalwork. Our favourite part has to be tracing the line of what was once a destroyer, imagining her full form while exploring the nooks and crannies that now shelter crabs and inquisitive blennies. This site is fantastic for photographers looking for intricate shots of invertebrate life against a stark, historical backdrop, or for newer wreck divers wanting to experience Scapa without the daunting depths of some of the bigger ships.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
58.839916, -3.193350
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
12m

Wreck History - B 109 (PART)

Year Sunk
1919
Vessel Type
warship
Cause
scuttled

The B 109 was a destroyer in the German High Seas Fleet, interned at Scapa Flow following the end of World War I. On June 21, 1919, in a final act of defiance, Rear Admiral Ludwig von Reuter gave the order to scuttle the entire fleet to prevent the ships from falling into British hands. Along with over 50 other warships, the B 109 was deliberately sunk by its own crew, settling on the seabed of the famous naval anchorage.

Unlike many of the larger ships that remain almost intact, the B 109 was subject to extensive salvage operations. The destroyer was raised in 1926 and partially scrapped, with the remaining sections being returned to the seabed. Today, what's left of the B 109 lies in just 12 meters of water. While heavily broken, divers can still identify key features of the destroyer's structure. Its shallow depth makes it an excellent second dive or a training site, offering a tangible connection to one of the most dramatic events in naval history.

Marine Protected Area: Switha

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 B 109 (PART)

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 B 109 (PART)

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