wreck

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Wreck of Svinta

The Svinta. Now there’s a proper Scapa Flow wreck for you, and one of our favourites for a reason. Often overshadowed by the bigger German fleet, the Svinta offers something different: a real sense of exploration without the depth demands of her larger cousins. She sits in shallower water, around 16 to 24 metres, which means longer bottom times and a more relaxed dive. We love the way the light filters down, even on an overcast Orkney day, illuminating the skeletal remains of her superstructure. You can spend a good chunk of your dive simply circling the stern, spotting the resident cod that seem to call her home, or poking around the cargo holds where light plays off the rust. Visibility here is usually pretty decent for Scapa, often 10-15 metres, allowing you to appreciate the scale. Keep an eye out for the plumose anemones swaying gently on the metalwork; they’re surprisingly beautiful against the dark steel. It’s a superb dive for newer wreck divers looking for character without extreme currents, or for experienced hands wanting a relaxed potter with plenty to see.