Scapa Flow

Scapa Flow is a large natural harbour enclosed by the Orkney Islands off the north coast of Scotland. It is best known for the German High Seas Fleet scuttled there in 1919 after the First World War, several of whose battleships and light cruisers still lie on the seabed, including the Koenig, Kronprinz Wilhelm, and Markgraf. Block ships sunk to protect the anchorage, along with later wartime wrecks such as those connected to the sinking of HMS Royal Oak, add to the range of sites spread across the flow. Depths reach around 45 metres, and diving here is rated advanced. Orkney's cold water and often strong tidal movement through the flow are also part of what shapes conditions on these wrecks.

Confirmed by our research team, reported by independent divers, or observed nearby via iNaturalist — each entry is labelled with its source.

• European Edible Sea UrchinEchinus esculentusReported here · unconfirmed
• Common Sea StarAsterias rubensReported here · unconfirmed
• Plumose AnemoneMetridium senileReported here · unconfirmed
• Edible CrabCancer pagurusReported here · unconfirmed
• Dead Man's FingersAlcyonium digitatumReported here · unconfirmed
• Velvet Swimming CrabNecora puberReported here · unconfirmed
• Rose Sun StarCrossaster papposusReported here · unconfirmed
• Sea VaseCiona intestinalisReported here · unconfirmed
• Rosy Feather StarAntedon bifidaReported here · unconfirmed