Wreck of SMS Kaiser - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The König Albert is one of our favourites in Scapa Flow, probably because it’s a bit of a contradiction. For a start, it’s a massive dreadnought battleship, lying upside down, but its sheer size means there’s still plenty of internal exploration to be had. We often drop onto the stern, which sits around 24 metres, and then work our way forward along the hull. The ship is largely intact, with several large shell holes providing access into the engineering spaces – keep an eye out for the giant reciprocating engines, they’re still impressive even after all these years. What we really love about the Albert, though, is how life has claimed it. The exposed hull is thick with plumose anemones, creating these incredible white carpets that shimmer in your torch beam. Look closer and you'll find curled octopuses tucked into crevices, their eyes watching you with unnerving intelligence. We once spent an entire deco stop just watching a harbour porpoise feed near the bow, its sleek form a blur in the green water. The visibility here can be excellent, particularly on a slack tide, which really helps bring the scale of the wreck to life. It’s a dive that suits experienced wreck divers, certainly, but anyone comfortable with some overhead environments will find a lot to love.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
58.882084, -3.188098
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Hoy

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 SMS Kaiser

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 SMS Kaiser

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