Wreck of Unnamed Shipwreck - Canmore 101728 - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The St. Claus, one of the smaller German High Seas Fleet scuttles, often gets overlooked for her colossal neighbours in Scapa Flow. That's a mistake. We love her because she’s so accessible and surprisingly intact for her age. Dropping down, you’ll find her resting on her port side, relatively shallow, which means longer bottom times to really poke around. Her character is all about the superstructure, still quite prominent, draped in those vibrant jewel anemones and the occasional Devonshire cup coral. We often spot saithe darting through the shadowed corridors. You can easily penetrate the bridge area and explore some of the holds, imagining the chaos of her final moments. Visibility can vary, as with most of Scapa, but on a good day, the light filtering through the Orkney green water makes the wreck’s silhouette really pop. It’s an ideal dive for those getting their first taste of Scapa’s wrecks, or anyone who enjoys a more intimate, less overwhelming historical dive.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
57.680630, -1.625125
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Loch of Strathbeg

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 Unnamed Shipwreck - Canmore 101728

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 Unnamed Shipwreck - Canmore 101728

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