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Wreck of Gondolier

The Gondolier, one of Scapa Flow’s smaller, more intimate wrecks, feels like diving into a time capsule. She’s a Blockship, scuttled intentionally in 1940 to protect the naval anchorage, and it shows in her character. We love how relatively intact she remains, resting in about 15 metres, making her accessible for a longer bottom time. Descending onto the Gondolier, you quickly appreciate her scale. The bow points south, and you can swim right through the holds, which are now draped in Dead Man's Fingers and plumose anemones. Look for the cuckoo skates often tucked into the crevices, and we’ve even spotted small dogfish nosing around the deck plates. Our favourite part has to be the stern, where the prop shaft leads away, hinting at her former life. The visibility here can be surprisingly good on a calm day, especially with a flood tide, giving the wreck a greenish, ethereal glow. It’s not the imposing size of the German High Seas Fleet wrecks, but the Gondolier offers a wonderfully detailed, exploratory dive for anyone interested in Scapa Flow’s wartime history and the marine life that now calls it home.