Wreck of Almond Blossom - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The Baltic Sea doesn’t give up its secrets easily, but the Ostmark is a prime example of why we keep coming back. She was a ferry, then a troopship, and now she’s a home for wolf-fish and dab. Diving her feels like stepping back into a very cold moment in history. We usually drop onto the stern, which sits upright. The bow is broken but still offers plenty of scope for exploration. You can spend an entire dive just picking apart the details, imagining the decks swarming with soldiers before she sank in 1943. Our favourite part is the engine room, which is accessible and still holds a lot of its original machinery. It’s dark in there, of course, so a good primary torch and a backup are non-negotiable. Visibility here is typical for the Baltic. Don’t expect the Caribbean. On a good day, you might get 10-15 metres, but it’s often closer to five. That just adds to the atmosphere, we think. It’s also a colder dive, so a drysuit is really your only sensible option. The reward is the sheer density of life that has claimed the wreck. Wolf-fish lurk in the shadows, their grumpy faces peering out from behind twisted metal. Four-bearded rocklings weave through the superstructure. You’ll also spot plenty of dab and even the occasional dogfish patrolling the sand nearby. It’s a dive for those who appreciate history and don’t mind a bit of a chill. We recommend visiting in late summer, as the water temperature is at its highest, relatively speaking.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
58.137314, -6.212338
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Tong Saltings

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 Almond Blossom

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 Almond Blossom

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