Wreck of Unnamed Shipwreck - Canmore 101826 - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The Clio wreck in Scapa Flow isn't about tropical colours or big pelagics. It's about history, cold water, and the way metal structures become new homes. We love a dive where you can feel the story, and Clio delivers. The visibility can be variable, but on a good day, the outline of the vessel comes into view through the green murk, a stark silhouette against the lighter surface. You're dropping onto the remains of a German torpedo boat, scuttled back in 1919. It sits broken, but there's plenty to explore. Penetration here isn't really the point; it’s more about circling the collapsed hull, peeking into the engine room space, and imagining the chaos of that final sinking. What really gets us, though, is the sheer volume of life that's colonised the steel. The hull is a tapestry of anemones – we've seen everything from dahlia anemones to those delicate plumose ones, swaying in the gentle surge. Keep an eye out for the smaller stuff too; butterfish dart between the plates, and we often spot common pipefish tucked into crevices. This is a dive for those who appreciate wrecks as artificial reefs, where history and nature intertwine. It’s not a deep dive, making it accessible for most with dry suit experience.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
57.234750, -1.814218
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Foveran Links

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 101826

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 101826

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