Wreck of Unnamed Shipwreck - Canmore 101773 - Scapa Flow, Orkney

For a start, let's call her the ‘Blockship Unknown’. It just feels right for a site that doesn’t shout about itself. Scapa Flow has a lot of big names, but we love the quieter, forgotten wrecks, and this one has serious character. Lying in relatively shallow water, she’s become a fantastic artificial reef, completely encrusted in plumose anemones, their white tentacles waving gently in the current. You’ll find blennies peering out from every nook and cranny, and if you take your time, a curious wolf fish might just make an appearance. We've dived her in calm conditions, visibility sometimes stretching a good 10-15 metres, which is a luxury in Scapa. Other times it's a moody green, but even then, the wreck feels incredibly atmospheric. The structure is quite broken, but that's part of the appeal; it’s less about penetration and more about exploring the nooks and crannies, discovering where the deck plating has peeled back like tin foil. For photographers, the light playing through the gaps can create some truly stunning scenes, particularly on a sunny day. Our favourite time to dive her is on a slack tide, giving you ample time to really soak it all in. She's a perfect dive for those who appreciate history and macro life in equal measure.

Location: Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates: 57.908306, -3.021076
Type: wreck

Marine Protected Area: Spey Bay

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)

Nearest Dive Centres to Wreck of Unnamed Shipwreck - Canmore 101773

The Diving Cellar

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

Protestant (Clupea harengus) - Reef Fish
Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) - Reef Fish
Cowfish (Tursiops truncatus) - Whales & Dolphins
whiting (Merlangius merlangus) - Reef Fish
dab (Limanda limanda) - Reef Fish
harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) - Whales & Dolphins
grey gurnard (Eutrigla gurnardus) - Reef Fish
long rough dab (Hippoglossoides platessoides) - Reef Fish
dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula) - Sharks & Rays
Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) - Reef Fish
poor cod (Trisopterus minutus) - Reef Fish
sprat (Sprattus sprattus) - Reef Fish
Common minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) - Whales & Dolphins
Split (Scomber scombrus) - Reef Fish
Norway Lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) - Crabs & Lobsters
Common dragonet (Callionymus lyra) - Reef Fish
lesser argentine (Argentina sphyraena) - Reef Fish
white-beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) - Whales & Dolphins
Common sea star (Asterias rubens) - Starfish
Soldier (Chelidonichthys cuculus) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for Wreck of Unnamed Shipwreck - Canmore 101773

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