CARRON - Scapa Flow, Orkney

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.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
58.842175, -2.902160
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
1m

Wreck History - CARRON

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.

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 CARRON

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 CARRON

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