Wreck of Unnamed Shipwreck - Canmore 101735 - Scapa Flow, Orkney

Diving the Redstone is like stepping back in time, though we often forget she’s not part of the scuttled German fleet. This Blockship, deliberately sunk in 1914 to guard the southern entrance to Scapa Flow, has become a real favourite of ours. She sits upright, pretty intact, and while not massive, there’s plenty to poke around in. What we love most is the way the cold, nutrient-rich water has encouraged such thick growth. You’ll fin through clouds of light-bulb sea squirts, and we’ve seen dogfish tucked into crevices more times than we can count. The holds are open, inviting exploration, and with decent visibility, the bow section is particularly photogenic. It’s not a deep dive, making it perfect for those wanting to spend some good bottom time soaking in the history and the sheer quantity of marine life. A great second dive for an Orkney day.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
57.618320, -1.715076
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 101735

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 101735

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