wreck

Log This Dive

Wreck of SMS Prinzregent Luitpold

The SMS Prinzregent Luitpold, a Kaiser-class battleship, is one of Scapa Flow's big ones, a serious piece of history resting at around 24 to 36 metres, depending on which part you're over. We love this wreck for its sheer scale and the way it’s slowly being consumed by the flow. Descending through the greenish light, you start to pick out the massive armour plates and gun turrets. It's an imposing sight, especially when the visibility stretches a bit and you can see a significant section of the hull laid out. Entry points are usually through the torpedo netting booms, now long gone, leaving open access to the interior. Inside, the battleship feels vast. You'll navigate through the open decks, sometimes spotting bull rout tucked into crevices or the vibrant orange of Devonshire cup coral clinging to the steel. The Prinzregent Luitpold is a favourite of ours for experienced wreck divers, those who appreciate the quiet grandeur of a historical site. It's not a shallow coral garden, it’s a sombre, beautiful dive, best tackled with good buoyancy and an appreciation for the cold, dark waters that have preserved it. We’d suggest diving this on a slack tide; the currents here can be robust.