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Scapa Flow

Scapa Flow is the top wreck diving location of the northern hemisphere and home to the scuttled German High Seas Fleet.

On the 21^st June 1919 more than 70 ships, almost the entire German Navy, were scuttled under the orders of Admiral von Reuter. Isolated from any source of current news, he feared that the armistice negotiations would break down and took this drastic action rather than let the ships fall into British hands.

Today these wrecks lie between 20-50m below the surface, most in close proximity to the small island of Cava.

Also dotted around Scapa Flow lie the remains of other ships, casualties of different circumstances.

Being almost fully enclosed by a ring of islands, there is a sheltered site in Scapa Flow in almost all weather conditions: the diving season runs from March to November.

Burra Sound	German Fleet	Hoxa
Stromness	Scapa	Lyness	Burray

For ease of navigation, the Flow has been split into four main areas.

• Burra Sound is the North Eastern entrance to the Flow that was sealed during the war by sinking blockships across the mouth. These wrecks are excellent shallow tidal dives.
• The main body of the German High Seas Fleet sank at their anchorages around Cava in the middle of the Flow.
• Hoxa Sound is the south eastern entrance to the Flow and is also tidal.
• Harbours and towns.