Wreck of Pontos - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The Ben Rannes offers a different flavour of Scapa Flow wreck diving. She’s not one of the massive German High Seas Fleet scuttles, but a smaller blockship, deliberately sunk in 1919 to defend the Flow's Churchill Barriers. Because of that, she sits in shallower water, around 14 metres on a good tide, making her much more accessible than her deeper, grander neighbours. We love that you can spend a full hour here, poking around her relatively intact structure. Expect to find her upright, though well-broken, with the bow and stern still recognisable. Our favourite bits are the engine room, which is often surprisingly open, and the scattered plates where lobsters tuck themselves into crevices. It’s a site that gives a real sense of purpose, of a ship intentionally placed. The superstructure is long gone, but the ribs and plates are a magnet for local life. We’ve seen dogfish resting on the sand nearby, and the whole wreck is blanketed in dead man's fingers and anemones. Visibility can be a bit variable, but on a good day, with the sun piercing through, it’s a tranquil, reflective dive. It suits divers looking for a relaxed exploration, a chance to appreciate a piece of history without the pressure of extreme depth or current.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
58.839610, -2.903074
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Switha

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 Pontos

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 Pontos

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