Scapa Flow is surrounded and almost fully enclosed by the Orkney Islands. The 200 square mile expanse of water was used by the Royal Navy's Atlantic Fleet as a safe anchorage with the main
Atlantic Operations Head Quarters at Lyness on Hoy. The German Fleet was detained in Scapa Flow during the armistice negotiations at the end of the First World War. Seven months later, on
June 21st 1919, the entire German Imperial Navy's High Seas Fleet was scuttled to elude Allied hands. The seventy-four warships sank, littering the seabed of Scapa Flow.Large salvage operations to raise the Fleet were undertaken after the war. Today seven of the High Seas Fleet remain as a token of the Naval history of Scapa Flow. These include three Battleships, each of which measure 177m long and displace as much as 25,390 tons. Four Light Cruisers also lie on the seabed. The wrecks in Scapa Flow lie in water ranging from 18 - 45m deep with the visibility extending to as much as 20m on occasion. Many other vessels have since come to grief in Scapa Flow creating even more diving sites. The deliberate sinking of Blockships at the Churchill Barriers and within Burra Sound has resulted in exceptional dive sites. Fast moving water here creates excellent visibility and attracts a large diversity of marine life.
What's involved?
The PADI Wreck Speciality course comprises of 4 dives over 2 days, during which you will increase your skill levels and
learn the best ways to plan and dive wrecks.
One of our experienced instructors will introduce you to the rules of wreck penetration, using specialised equipment such as reel and lines and other navigating techniques.
During the course, you will also learn to place extra emphasis on buoyancy and propulsion techniques when diving on wrecks to minimise any problems that may occur with silt.
Throughout the course you will stick to recreational dive limits of which some can be increased safety with Nitrox (see bottom of the page).
This PADI Wreck Speciality course is a fun course, requiring only a small amount of book work. Greater emphasis is placed on in water ability, allowing you to get even more pleasure out of diving these unique and magnificent wrecks of Scapa Flow.
Equipment is of prime importance when diving on wrecks especially when exploring overhead environments. Your instructor will advise you on the best equipment for this type of diving and how to use it. Equipment is provided for students at Scapa Scuba for no extra cost while participating in this course (though it is recommended students who are advancing their diving should have they own equipment to build familiarity). Diving equipment is available from our well-stocked Red shed shop.
At Scapa Scuba, all courses are taught in small groups. This close instructor supervision makes the whole experience more personal to your needs. As with every course run by Scapa Scuba, safety is of great importance.
Course duration - 2 days comprising of 4 dives from boat
Prerequisites - PADI Advanced Open Water diver or equivalent & aged 15+
Course cost £315.
Why not bolt on:
Nitrox Diving - Increase your bottom time with the Nitrox Speciality Course! Enjoy a no decompression time of 30 minutes at 30 metres compared with just 20 minutes on Air! The PADI Nitrox speciality will allow you to use custom gas mixes between 21% [air] and 40% for maximum allowable no decompression limits.
Course duration: 1 evening (1½ hours classroom) followed by 1 days diving [combined with your Wreck diver course]
Prerequisites: PADI Advanced Open Water or an equivalent level with another agency.
Course cost. As a ‘bolt on’ to other courses we offer e.g. PADI Advanced Open Water, PADI Deep/Wreck Speciality/guided dives etc. for an additional £110.
