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GOLDEN STRAND

You want to know our favourite non-wreck dive in Scapa Flow? It’s the Golden Strand. Yes, it’s a wreck, but honestly, it feels more like a really fantastic shore dive that just happens to have a bit of boat to explore. This fishing vessel ran aground in 1989, and what’s left is scattered across a shallow, rocky seabed that’s packed with life. At a maximum depth of one metre, this is pure snorkelling territory, or a fantastic, super-long shallow dive if you’re doing a try-dive or just want to potter about with a camera for ages. We love coming here on a sunny afternoon; the light plays through the kelp, making everything sparkle. You’ll find the remains of the hull and superstructure, all broken up and spread amongst the rocks. It’s been totally colonised by crabs, blennies darting between the crevices, and we’ve even spotted small octopus tucked away. It’s a completely different vibe to the deeper, darker wrecks Scapa is famous for, and honestly, a brilliant way to spend an hour or two surfacing for air and swapping stories with your buddy. We’d suggest going at high slack tide for the best visibility.