SMS König
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Marine forecast via Copernicus Marine. Score is a rule-based guide from swell/wind vs. the site's exposure — always dive your own assessment.
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About this site
SMS König is a large German battleship lying close to the island of Cava in Scapa Flow. Built at Wilhelmshaven in 1913–1914, she served as the flagship of the Third Battle Squadron at the Battle of Jutland and was the name-ship of her class. She was scuttled along with the rest of the interned German High Seas Fleet and now lies upside down with a list to port.
The wreck reaches a maximum depth of 42 metres, with the top of the upturned hull at 21 metres, giving a substantial relief of around 21 metres. Salvage work has broken her up in places, but she remains penetrable with care, and exterior exploration is rewarding across the full spread of her hull and superstructure.
Given the depth and the complexity of a large, partially broken and inverted battleship, SMS König is a technical dive suited to experienced and appropriately qualified divers.
Marine life here
Confirmed by our research team, reported by independent divers, or observed nearby via iNaturalist — each entry is labelled with its source.
Common Sea StarAsterias rubensReported here · unconfirmed
European Edible Sea UrchinEchinus esculentusReported here · unconfirmed
Plumose AnemoneMetridium senileReported here · unconfirmed
Dead Man's FingersAlcyonium digitatumReported here · unconfirmed
Edible CrabCancer pagurusReported here · unconfirmed
Velvet Swimming CrabNecora puberReported here · unconfirmed
Common Hermit CrabPagurus bernhardusReported here · unconfirmed
Devonshire Cup CoralCaryophyllia (Caryophyllia) smithiiReported here · unconfirmed
Durable tips from divers — access, hazards, marine life, facilities. For day-of conditions, use the report tool in the conditions card above.
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