BERMUDA - Scapa Flow, Orkney

Okay, so Scapa Flow. Everyone talks about the German High Seas Fleet, and fair enough, they’re incredible. But if you’ve been a few times, or you’re looking for something a bit different, we always point people towards the *Bermuda*. She’s not deep, just 12 metres, but don’t let that fool you. This isn’t some broken-up barge; she’s a proper merchant vessel, big, built in '27 and then burnt out in Belfast before being scuttled in '33. What we love about the *Bermuda* is how intact she feels for a shallow wreck. You can still make out the superstructure, the sheer scale of her. It’s like ghosting through a drowned warehouse. We always find conger eels tucked away in the darker sections, their heads poking out from pipes, watching you with that unblinking stare. Visibility here can be really good, especially on a settled day, and then the light filtering through the Orkney green water just makes the whole place feel eerie and beautiful. Our favourite is to find a vantage point on the deck and just watch the shoals of pollock drift past, like silver rain. It’s a site that suits anyone comfortable with a bit of history and plenty of space to explore.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
58.249900, -5.193500
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
12m

Wreck History - BERMUDA

Year Sunk
1933
Vessel Type
passenger ship
Cause
scuttled
Tonnage
19,086 GRT

The story of the vessel known as the 'Bermuda' wreck in Scapa Flow is one of luxury and misfortune. Launched in 1927 as the magnificent passenger liner MS Bermuda, she was built to ferry wealthy clients between New York and Bermuda. Hailed as one of the most opulent ships of her time, her career was tragically short. In June 1931, a massive fire broke out while she was docked in Hamilton, Bermuda, gutting the vessel. She was towed back to Belfast for repairs, but fate struck again when a second fire erupted, sealing her doom.

Deemed a constructive total loss, the burnt-out hulk was sold for scrap. However, instead of being broken up, the vessel was acquired by the Admiralty. She was towed to the strategic naval anchorage of Scapa Flow and deliberately sunk in 1933. Her purpose in her final resting place is not entirely clear, with some suggesting she was intended for use as a blockship or for demolition experiments.

Today, the wreck of the 'Bermuda' lies upside down in just 12 meters of water in the sheltered confines of Widewall Bay. The shallow depth makes it an excellent and accessible dive for all levels of experience, including trainees. While the hull is largely flattened, divers can explore the recognizable bow and stern sections, peer into the wreckage, and observe the abundant marine life, like wrasse and crabs, that have made this once-glorious liner their home.

Marine Protected Area: Scourie 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 BERMUDA

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 BERMUDA

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