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Scapa Flow Trip 2008
9th – 16th August

The world renowned Scapa Flow attracts divers from all over the world.

Formed by the protecting islands of the Orkneys, Scapa Flow is a natural harbour which has been used by the Vikings from the 8th century and by many others since then, right through to the present day. At 140 square miles with a relatively shallow sandy bottom, (not deeper than 50 metres and most of it about 25 metres deep), it is one of the great natural harbours or anchorages of the world.
During the First and Second World Wars the whole of the British Atlantic fleet was based in Scapa Flow.
Although there are many wrecks and fantastic scenic dives in the area what makes Scapa Flow such a magnet for divers is the remains of the scuttled German First World War fleet. Towards the end of the First World War as part of the armistice, the German High Seas Fleet were ordered into Scapa Flow to be interned. They arrived in November 1918, and stayed (on the surface) for 10 months. Eventually as the treaty of Versailles was being negotiated it became clear to Rear Admiral von Reuter, the German Officer in command at Scapa Flow that Germany would have to accept surrender terms. He waited until the main part of the British Fleet left the flow for exercises and gave the order for the German fleet to be scuttled in order to prevent it becoming part of the British Royal Navy.
Of the seventy-four ships scuttled most were salvaged in the years after WWI. Some of the ships were around 200 metres long so this would be a great feat even by the standards of today and were simply amazing for the time.
There are now only eight of scuttled German ships remaining but these, combined with other wrecks from the world wars from peace time accidents and the deliberately sunk ‘block ships’ make Scapa Flow the wreck divers Holy Grail.
After a great 2007 trip we have rebooked the dive boat Sharon Rose for August 9th to 16th 2008.
The boat is based at the port town of Stromness (From Old Norse: "straumr" + "nes" - 'Tidal Stream Point). Stromness is a little town with a narrow stone main streets bordered on one side by picturesque narrow alleyways and private dock fronts and on the other by lanes steeply climbing up the 300ft granite ridge of Brinkles Brae. The town seems to be virtually unchanged since its whaling and Hudson Bay Company times.
There is a variety of accommodation available, from the cheap, to the more expensive Stromness hotel with its famous whisky bar. During the Second World War the Stromness Hotel became the Orkney and Shetland Military HQ. .
We will be out each day doing two dives, normally a deeper wreck for the first dive followed by another, shallower, wreck or scenic dive in the afternoon.
The wrecks are amazing and relatively intact. However they are now noticeably more broken up than they were when I last dived them 15 years ago. This has been a great boost to the fish life where in places the schools of fish moving in and out of the wrecks were reminiscent of the Red Sea! On some of the dives we did the visibility was a Red Sea like 25 metres or more. The wrecks, and much of the sea bed is covered in life, gardens of plumose anemones, carpets of starfish, and Sainsburys of scallops! See the photo gallery
As the days are much longer in the Orkneys in the Summer than they are down South we will have plenty of time to explore the wonderful attractions of the area and even visit some local drinking establishments. In 1920 the Stromness Temperance Movement, after a local referendum, declared the town “dry", this lasted until 1947. Maybe this explains why now there are lots of bars and why the drinkers seem to be trying to make up for lost time.
When not drinking or eating there is lots to do in the area for diver and non-diver alike. The archaeology of the area is fascinating, there are ancient settlements 5500 years old, standing stones, rings of stones, ancient tombs with ‘modern’ Viking grafitti to name but a small part of what can be seen.
The wildlife , especially the bird life, (sorry endemic Orkney voles) is fantastic , visit the bird sanctuaries, nature walks, whale watching trips, fossils. Or go fly or sea fishing.
Visit the museums and art galleries. Many exhibits from both World Wars are housed in the former oil pumping station at the Lyness Naval Base on Hoy. Try out local Whiskies at the distilleries.
We will be diving from Sunday 10th August until Friday 15th August
The cost of the boat for the week is £250 includes air and use of the boats weights and cylinders. (nitrox available at extra cost). A £100 deposit is needed to book.
Other things you will need to pay for are food drink and accommodation (approx £25 per night b&b or sleep on boat £95) and of course, getting there.
Getting there:It is easy to fly to Kirkwall (12 miles from Stromness) from London via Aberdeen, book early to get the cheapest deals. Divers should consider though that they must leave a day to decompress fully before flying home. Also divers might have excess baggage problems.
Driving takes about 12 hours of actual driving in good traffic with no hold ups. Then a ferry from Scrabster (nr Thurso) to Stromness 1.5 hours, 2 minute walk to b&b or dive boat from the ferry
The diving is only suitable for people with plenty of UK boat diving experience so you should know what gear to bring:Everything! Bring all you would normally have for UK diving, gloves, hood, delayed markers, knives, torches etc! The water is a couple of degrees cooler than on the south coast so I would recommend a dry suit unless you are very brave. A redundant air supply such as Pony cylinder or twin set is a must. There are 12litre cylinders and limited number of 15litre cylinders available on board but if you want something different or you must have a 15l then bring your own or rent one of ours. Also if you have an integrated weight system bring weights that you know fit.
And of course warm clothes just in case summer doesn’t happen.

2008 Overseas Trips

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