PETER BERG - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The *Peter Berg* isn’t the flashy German High Seas Fleet wreck everyone chases in Scapa Flow. No, this Norwegian steamship, sunk in 1906, offers something different entirely: a proper, old-school dive into history, far from the crowds. We love it because it sits upright, almost perfectly intact, a ghost from a bygone era in about 55 metres. Dropping down, the ship’s profile emerges slowly from the green, silty water, her bow pointing north. You’ll find the mast still standing, reaching up, a real rarity for a wreck this old. We always head for the engine room first; it’s largely open, revealing the massive triple-expansion engine, huge cranks frozen in time. The scale is impressive, and the light filtering in here is often just enough to pick out the details. Look for the prop shaft stretching back through the hull. Outside, the decks are riddled with holes where the timber has rotted away, but the metalwork remains solid. Expect to see plenty of squat lobsters in the nooks and crannies, and sometimes we’ve found conger eels tucked into the darker sections of the holds. It’s a dive for experienced wreck enthusiasts who appreciate the quiet dignity of a well-preserved piece of maritime history.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
58.732920, -3.584840
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
55m

Marine Protected Area: North Caithness Cliffs

Best Time to Dive in Scapa Flow, Orkney

The warmest water temperatures in Scapa Flow, Orkney occur in January, averaging 8.4°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 8.4°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 8.4°C (air: 5.5°C)
  • February: 8.4°C (air: 5.3°C)
  • March: 8.4°C (air: 5.9°C)
  • April: 8.4°C (air: 6.8°C)
  • May: 8.4°C (air: 9.7°C)
  • June: 8.4°C (air: 12.4°C)
  • July: 8.4°C (air: 13.2°C)
  • August: 8.4°C (air: 13.7°C)
  • September: 8.4°C (air: 12.7°C)
  • October: 8.4°C (air: 10.2°C)
  • November: 8.4°C (air: 8.0°C)
  • December: 8.4°C (air: 5.8°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Scapa Flow, Orkney

Nearest Dive Centres to PETER BERG

Marine Life in Scapa Flow, Orkney

Home to 155 recorded species including 63 reef fish, 17 whales & dolphins, 12 sharks & rays, 11 crabs & lobsters, 11 other, 10 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for PETER BERG

Based on average water temperature of 8.4°C.

  • Drysuit - water at 8°C demands a drysuit with thermal undergarments
  • Hood & Gloves (7mm+) - critical to prevent heat loss
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories