Wreck of Unnamed Shipwreck - Canmore 101746 - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The St. Nicholas is one of those wrecks that really tells a story, even if you’re not a history buff. We’ve always been drawn to how she rests, keeled over on her port side, almost like she’s taking a final, weary bow. Dropping down, you’ll find yourself navigating through a skeleton of steel, with huge boilers and machinery creating dramatic swim-throughs. The light filters in so eerily here, especially on an overcast day, turning the interior into a muted, silver-grey world. It’s the sheer scale of the cargo holds, now open to the sea, that we love most. They’re like vast empty chambers, but not truly empty. Beadlet anemones cling to every surface, and we’ve seen dogfish tucked into crevices, quite unbothered by divers passing by. Watch for common whelks slowly traversing the plating. This is a dive for those who appreciate the quiet grandeur of a historical wreck, where the marine life adds texture rather than stealing the show. Best to visit on a calm day; Scapa Flow can get choppy, making the descent less comfortable.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
57.350807, -1.658869
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Buchan Ness to Collieston Coast

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 101746

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 101746

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