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HMS VULTURE II

The HMS Vulture II isn't the glamour wreck of Scapa Flow, but we love it for its quiet charm and approachable depth. This trawler, built in 1899 and sunk after a collision in 1918, sits upright at 27 metres, easily within recreational limits. You’re not dropping into a cathedral of steel like some of the larger battleships, but that’s precisely its appeal; it’s a detailed, compact exploration. We always make a point of looking for the bow gun, a single 6-pounder that speaks volumes about its wartime role. Inside, you can still poke around the engine room, a surprisingly intact space that gives a real sense of the ship’s working life. The wreck is colonised by a rich tapestry of anemones and dead man’s fingers, with wrasse darting between the plates. It’s a great site for photographers who want to focus on macro details against a historical backdrop. Expect good visibility on an incoming tide, often better than some of the deeper sites. It’s a perfect dive for those looking for a relaxed, historically rich Scapa experience without pushing the limits.