Wreck of Unnamed Shipwreck - Canmore 101827 - Scapa Flow, Orkney

Dropping onto the Naja always feels a bit like stepping back in time. We love the sheer scale of her, lying mostly intact on the seabed, a real ghost ship waiting to be explored. You’ll spend most of your dive penetrating the holds, imagining the cargo she once carried, with schools of poor cod darting through the openings as your torch beam cuts through the gloom. It’s a proper wreck dive, dark and often silty inside, so good buoyancy is key if you don’t want to stir things up. The Naja isn't just about history though; the marine life here is surprisingly resilient. Look closely on the exterior plates for clusters of beadlet anemones and the strange, iridescent light-bulb sea squirts. We always find Corkwing wrasse flitting around the less exposed sections, and if you’re patient, you might spot a masked crab scuttling across the deck. This is a dive for those who appreciate the quiet, reflective nature of a wreck, and for divers comfortable in an overhead environment with limited natural light. It’s not a coral reef, obviously, but the atmosphere and the history make it a standout for us.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
57.274130, -1.692032
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Collieston to Whinnyfold 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 101827

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 101827

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