Wreck of Unnamed Shipwreck - Canmore 101915 - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The Aorangi isn’t one of Scapa’s monster German dreadnoughts, and frankly, that’s part of her charm. She’s a smaller, working-class wreck – a former cable layer, sunk in 1915, sitting upright and pretty intact. We love how accessible she feels, allowing you to really get a sense of her purpose. Slip inside the wheelhouse, if you dare, imagining the crew in those final moments, then trace the deck out to the bow where the anchor chains still lie coiled. What you'll find here is a wreck that has truly become part of the seabed. Visibility in Scapa is often a deep emerald, and the light filtering through the water just enhances the atmosphere. Keep an eye out for the resident lumpsuckers clinging to the bulkheads, perfectly camouflaged, and the colourful Devonshire cup corals blooming on any flat surface. This site is brilliant for divers who appreciate the history but also want a relaxed penetration, a proper exploration, without the crushing scale of some of her neighbours. It’s a photographer’s dream, too, especially if you catch the light just right on a calm day.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
58.449593, -5.464229
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Handa

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 101915

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 101915

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