wreck

Log This Dive

ILSENSTEIN

The Ilsenstein is a fantastic entry point for anyone wanting to get their head around Scapa Flow's blockships. At just 8 meters, it’s shallow, which means long bottom times and plenty of light, even on a cloudy Orkney day. We've always found it a great spot for newer divers to practice their wreck skills without the pressure of depth or strong currents often found elsewhere in the Flow. What we love about the Ilsenstein is its distinct shape, still very much a ship, despite being broken into three main sections. You can swim through the gaping hull sections, noting the way the plates have buckled and twisted, creating these incredible, almost architectural swim-throughs. The ship’s ribs are draped in dead man’s fingers, and we've often seen small Pollock darting in and out of the darker nooks. Keep an eye out for nudibranchs, especially around the exposed deck plates. It’s a site that really makes you feel the history of Scapa, a silent sentinel now home to crabs and anenomes, and an excellent opportunity to appreciate these less-frequented wrecks.