Wreck of A4 Mooring Buoy - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The Prinzessin Victoria Luise wreck in Jardines de la Reina is a real journey back in time. We love diving this site early, before the sun gets too high, when the light filters down through the water just so, illuminating the ghostly outline of the old German passenger ship. It lies pretty broken up now, a testament to the century it’s spent on the seabed, but that just means more nooks and crannies to explore. You’ll find huge schools of grunts and cardinalfish sheltering inside the larger sections, their silver scales glinting in the gloom. Look closely for the planehead filefish camouflaged against the encrusted metal. Our favourite part has to be tracing the outline of the stern, imagining the ship in its former glory. It's not a deep dive, making it accessible for most, but the sheer historical weight and the way the reef has reclaimed it makes it a standout for us. Keep an eye out for the resident angelfish, they’re surprisingly bold here.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
57.847160, -5.622159
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Wester Ross

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 Wreck of A4 Mooring Buoy

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 Wreck of A4 Mooring Buoy

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