Wreck of Unnamed Shipwreck - Canmore 101807 - Scapa Flow, Orkney

Scapa Flow, even on a calm day, has a certain gravitas, and the Unnamed Shipwreck, Canmore 101807, delivers that sense of history under a slate-grey sky. We love this site for its sheer size and the way it’s settled, almost organically, into the seabed. Diving here, you’ll drop onto a substantial piece of history, the metal structures now completely softened by time and a thick carpet of plumose anemones. It’s a dive for those who appreciate the quiet beauty of decay, where the ship's bones provide shelter for conger eels and squat lobsters. Our favourite time to visit is on a slack tide, obviously, when the visibility often pushes to 15 metres and the light filtering down truly illuminates the scale of the wreck. Keep an eye out for the shoals of coalfish that swarm around the more intact sections; they add a lively contrast to the solemnity of the wreck. This isn't a brightly coloured reef dive, it’s a sombre, reflective experience, best for divers comfortable in cool water and with an appreciation for maritime history.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
57.847440, -2.837284
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Cullen to Stake Ness 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 101807

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 101807

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