Wreck of Unnamed Shipwreck - Canmore 102897 - Scapa Flow, Orkney

Diving Scapa Flow, you’re often chasing a name, a famous German battleship or cruiser. But some of our favourite dives here are on the unknowns, the sites that make you feel like a true underwater archaeologist. The Canmore 103033 wreck, an unnamed vessel resting at around 30 metres, is exactly that kind of dive. We love that it’s less picked over than some of the bigger ships. It’s a jumble of metal, broken up but still very much a ship, not just debris. You can still discern the hull lines, the skeleton of a vessel that met its end here, probably a victim of the scuttling in 1919 or some later mishap. Conger eels are often coiled in the darker corners, thick as your arm, and the entire structure is coated in a vibrant tapestry of anemones and sponges. Look for the yellow sulphur sponges, brilliant against the steel. Visibility can be hit or miss in Scapa, but when it’s good, the light filtering down onto this nameless wreck is something special. We’d suggest a slow, deliberate exploration, poking into every crevice. It’s a dive for those who appreciate history’s quiet whispers, not just its loud pronouncements.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
60.225290, -1.565209
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Fidlar Geo to Watsness

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 102897

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 102897

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