You Don't Have to Go Deep!

We often get divers saying how worried they were about diving up here in Orkney because it has a reputation for being deep, dark and scary. We try and reassure them as much as possible that this isn't the case, the diving here is great whether you go want to explore the deeper German Battleships (down towards 40 metres) or stay much shallower. Our Divemaster Lucia has had chance to explore almost all of the wrecks here from 5m down to about 38, so we loved it when she said her favourite dive was the SS Reginald. A wreck where you don't have to go much deeper than your average swimming pool to fully explore and you don't even have to leave the surface if you don't want to!

© Image copyright of Margot Katerina Photography

"My favourite wreck is the SS Reginald, a British blockship located near the third Churchill Barrier. Her position, half submerged and half out of the water, allows everyone to admire her features.

People passing by, snorkelers, kayakers and divers can all have a look at her at the same time. The entrance in the water and the required swim to reach the ship are quite easy and comfortable, due to the protection against wind and currents offered by the Churchill Barrier on the left. From a diver's perspective, you can swim following the stern and getting inside it in both directions, even without the PADI Wreck specialty, because you can reach the surface whenever you want. For that reason snorkelers can swim along with divers and enjoy the wildlife.

The nowadays rusty iron is covered in tiny barnacles and crabs and lobsters walk on the seabed, hiding in the vegetation, consisting mostly of kelp and seaweed. Especially in summer schools of fish find a new home in the warmer water of Scapa Flow and the wreck is probably one of the best places to see them and spot seals!"

© Image copyright of Margot Katerina Photography

We totally agree that this is an amazing and accessible site to all levels of diver, in fact all the shore diving sites we have here have a maximum depth of about 10 metres so are great places for total beginners, experienced divers or those in between to explore some WW1 and WW2 shipwrecks without having to go hardcore.

© Image copyright of Margot Katerina Photography

The SS Reginald was originally built in 1878 and was sunk here in 1914, you can find out a bit more information on it over on the awesome Scapa Flow Wrecks page here. Or if you'd like to come and see her, or some of the other great shallow wrecks for yourself, either above the water as a snorkeler or venturing beneath the surface as a diver, just get in touch.