Wreck of Unnamed Shipwreck - Canmore 103017 - Scapa Flow, Orkney

Scapa Flow holds more than just the big German fleet; we’ve always enjoyed poking around the lesser-known sites, and Canmore 103017, an unnamed shipwreck, is one of our favourites. This isn’t a massive battleship, which is precisely why we love it. It’s a more intimate dive, a chance to really slow down and appreciate the details of an older, smaller vessel, probably a trawler or cargo ship, that’s settled into the seafloor. The wreck itself is fairly broken up, but you can still make out the bow and stern sections, and often a propeller stands proud, encrusted with colourful anemones and dead man's fingers. Visibility here can vary, but on a good day, the light filters down through the green Orkney water, illuminating schools of saithe darting through the rusted superstructure. We’ve often found lumpsuckers tucked into crevices, their suction cups clinging tight, and the occasional inquisitive grey seal might make a fly-by. It's a dive that rewards careful exploration rather than grand sweeping views, perfect for photographers or those who appreciate the quiet history beneath the waves.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
57.403330, -5.462165
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Loch Carron

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 103017

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 103017

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