wreck

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PARAGON (POSSIBLY)

Diving Scapa Flow, you get used to the big German warships. But our pick for something a bit different, and still utterly compelling, is the *Paragon*. Lying in 60 metres, this isn't a dive for the faint-hearted, nor for anyone without solid trimix experience. We love it because it’s a truly old wreck, sunk way back in 1898 after hitting some floating debris. Dropping down, the silence really hits you. The *Paragon* isn't huge, but she’s beautifully preserved, a ghostly wooden sailing vessel with an almost complete hull. You can glide along the deck, imagining the last moments, the snap of timbers. The structure itself is a dark, skeletal frame, but it’s softened by the anemones that bloom across every surface, a riot of orange and white in your torch beam. We’ve spotted conger eels tucked into shadowy corners and plenty of inquisitive wrasse. It’s a quiet, reflective dive, perfect for those who appreciate history and the slow reclamation of the sea. Just be mindful of your deco time; 60 metres in Scapa Flow isn't a place to rush.