wreck

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Wreck of Nordhuk

The Nordhuk, a 1906 German merchant steamer, sits upright in about 20 metres of Scapa Flow’s cold, green embrace. We love her because she’s so approachable, a perfect introduction to Flow diving without the extreme depths or currents of some of her larger neighbours. Dropping down, the first thing you notice is the sheer scale of the ship’s cargo holds, now open to the sky, creating vast caverns of still water. Light filters in, illuminating clouds of juvenile saithe that dart through the structure, a shimmering, living curtain. Our favourite part is exploring the stern, where the prop shaft and rudder are often silhouetted against the ambient light. Keep an eye out for plumose anemones clinging to the shadowed steel, their white tentacles waving gently. While not as grand as some of the battleships, the Nordhuk offers a fantastic sense of historical immersion; you can still feel the ship’s working life. It's an ideal dive for those comfortable with temperate water wreck diving, offering plenty to explore without being overwhelming. We’d suggest diving her on a slack tide for the best visibility, which can often stretch to a decent 10 metres on a good day.