CARRON

Good diving all year

Protected Area

Switha

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) - CARRON 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 1m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

Forget what you think you know about Scapa Flow. The *Carron* isn't one of the German giants, and that’s precisely why we love it. This blockship sits right near the shore, so shallow you can almost touch it from the surface. We’re talking about a wreck dive where your fins are often still breaking the surface. What you get is history you can literally reach out and touch. The plates are still largely intact, draped in kelp and sea squirts. Sunlight filters through the water, illuminating schools of saithe that dart through the hull. It’s an almost meditative experience, floating above the deck, spotting crabs scuttling amongst the frames, or catching a curious seal popping its head up for a look. Our favourite way to dive the *Carron* is on a calm, sunny day when the visibility stretches, and you can really appreciate the ship's lines. It’s perfect for snorkelers, freedivers, or divers looking for a relaxed, shallow exploration after a deeper dive, offering a unique perspective on Scapa Flow’s wartime legacy.

Typical CARRON 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

CARRON Wreck History

Year Sunk

1940

Vessel Type

cargo ship

Cause

scuttled

The SS Carron was a steel steamship built in 1894 that served for nearly half a century before being called into service for a final, vital mission. In the early days of World War II, the vast naval anchorage of Scapa Flow was vulnerable to submarine attack, a fact tragically proven by the sinking of HMS Royal Oak in 1939. To bolster the defenses, the British Admiralty began a program of sinking old merchant ships, known as blockships, in the narrow channels leading into the Flow.

On March 3rd, 1940, the Carron's time came. She was strategically positioned and intentionally scuttled to create an underwater barrier. Today, she rests in just one meter of water, a permanent part of Scapa Flow's wartime history. The wreck is extremely shallow and heavily broken, with parts often visible above the surface at low tide. While classified as a 'Dangerous Wreck' due to its location in a tidal channel, it offers a fascinating snorkel or shallow dive, allowing visitors to get up close with a piece of WWII history and witness how nature has reclaimed this artificial reef.