wreck

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Wreck of SMS Kaiser

The SMS Kaiser, for us, is one of Scapa's true heavyweights. Forget the postcards, this is where you feel the history pressing in. Dropping onto the deck at around 24 meters, the sheer scale hits you first. Those enormous barbettes, the gaping holes where turrets once sat, they’re just colossal. We love nosing around the superstructure, finding the small nooks where wolf-fish lurk, all grumpy faces and sharp teeth. Visibility can swing wildly here, from 5 meters of green gloom to a bright 15. The trick is to go with an experienced local guide who knows the currents; they can be tricky, especially around the bow. Our favourite approach is a slow drift over the deck guns, imagining the turmoil of 1919. Common seals often make an appearance, darting through the shadows. This is a dive for those who appreciate industrial archaeology and don't mind a bit of a chill – the water rarely gets above 10 degrees Celsius. It’s an immersive experience, a proper journey back in time, colonised by dabberlocks and sea stars.