Wreck of shipwreck possibly the St Geraldine - Scapa Flow, Orkney

Diving the HMS Hereward is a proper journey back in time, and it’s one of our favourite wreck dives in the Dodecanese, probably the whole of Greece. This G-class destroyer, sunk in 1941, now rests in fragments, spread across a sloping seabed. You won't find an intact ship here, but that's precisely what we love about it – the way the wreck has broken up has created so many interesting nooks and crannies to explore. Imagine descending onto scattered plates of metal, then catching sight of a huge boiler, still recognisable amidst the general debris field. It’s a site that rewards patience. We’ve spent whole dives just finning slowly, taking in the scale, the metal draped with Mediterranean feather stars and the occasional European fan-worm swaying in the gentle surge. Keep an eye out for the resident loggerhead turtles; we've had some incredible encounters there, watching them glide lazily over the twisted steel. Painted combers and parrotfish flit amongst the wreckage, and if you look closely into the shadowed areas, you might spot a bearded fireworm or a shy wide-eyed flounder. This site is excellent for those who appreciate the historical aspect of a wreck as much as the marine life that now calls it home. The currents can pick up, so it's best suited for divers comfortable with drift or moderate conditions.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
57.769154, -3.397836
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Masonshaugh

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 shipwreck possibly the St Geraldine

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 shipwreck possibly the St Geraldine

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