wreck

Log This Dive

Wreck of SMS Grosser Kurfürst

There are bigger wrecks in Scapa Flow, sure, but for sheer accessibility and character, we love the *Grosser Kurfürst*. Sitting on its port side in about 30-35 metres, this König-class battleship feels like a sleeping giant. Dropping onto the hull, you often get that classic Orkney gloom, a beautiful, moody green light filtering down, and then the sheer scale of the ship just… appears. The open deck gun positions are our favourite to explore, cavernous spaces where you can really feel the history. Look for the wolf-fish tucked into crevices; they’re surprisingly common here and a real treat to spot. Visibility can be a bit of a lottery, sometimes twenty metres, sometimes five, but even in murkier conditions, the structure is so grand it never feels claustrophobic. It’s an ideal wreck for those wanting to spend some proper bottom time exploring rather than just cruising over. Just remember your drysuit – it’s the North Sea, after all.