wreck

Log This Dive

GIRALDA (POSSIBLY)

The *Giralda* is a fantastic, if deep, foray into Scapa Flow’s often overlooked WWII history. Lying at 59m, this isn’t one for the casual diver, but for those with the training, it’s a truly rewarding visit. We love dropping down onto her, seeing the intact bow emerge from the gloom, often draped in long, swaying kelp. She sits upright, pretty much fully preserved, a real contrast to some of the broken beasts elsewhere in the Flow. You’ll find her triple-expansion engine still very much in place, a fantastic piece of engineering to explore. We always spend a good chunk of time admiring the bridge area, imagining her final moments after being bombed by German aircraft. The wreck has become a home for all sorts of critters – we’ve seen some massive conger eels peering from dark recesses, and the sheer number of plumose anemones carpeting the rails is stunning. Visibility here can be excellent, though a strong current can sometimes sweep through, so pick your slack. Our favourite time to dive her is early summer, when the light penetrates just enough to pick out the detail.