wreck

Log This Dive

PORTUGAL

The *Portugal* wreck is one of those Scapa sites we keep coming back to, not for deep exploration but for the sheer atmosphere. It’s an old steam trawler, lying in just 8 metres of water, almost split in two. You don’t need much air to cover her, making it a perfect second dive or a relaxed long soak. We love hovering over the bow section, watching the light play on the rusted metal, and seeing the crabs scuttling in and out of the cracks. Visibility can swing a bit here, but even on an average day, the sheer volume of kelp and anemones decorating the wreck is stunning. The stern is a bit more broken up, but still clearly a ship, and it’s usually where we find bigger schools of wrasse and pollock hanging around the propellers. Our top tip? Go on a calm day with a high tide; the extra water depth just makes everything feel a little more peaceful and less exposed. It’s a site for divers who appreciate history and close-up marine observation over penetration.