Overview
The SMS Markgraf, a German König-class battleship, was scuttled in Gutter Sound, Scapa Flow, on 21 June 1919 as part of the scuttling of the German High Seas Fleet. Lying inverted on the seabed, this historic wreck offers a challenging dive into a significant piece of World War I naval history. Divers can explore its massive structure, including the distinctive propeller shafts and barbettes, now home to cold-water marine life.
Briefing note
Scapa Flow diving requires experience with cold-water wreck diving. Strong currents can occur, especially around tidal windows. Permits may be required for certain dive sites.
What you'll see
3 species curated- year-roundAtlantic CodPeak: Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov · Dec
- year-roundPollackPeak: Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov · Dec
- year-roundEuropean LobsterPeak: Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov · Dec
Sightings evidence
3 records on file- high confidenceAtlantic Cod
- Last confirmed
- Jun 2024
- Recent records
- 15 within 10 km
- Cluster months
- Year-round
- high confidencePollack
- Last confirmed
- Jun 2024
- Recent records
- 10 within 10 km
- Cluster months
- Year-round
- high confidenceEuropean Lobster
- Last confirmed
- Jun 2024
- Recent records
- 8 within 10 km
- Cluster months
- Year-round
Sources & methodology
How we summarise this
We aggregate confirmed occurrence records from GBIF and OBIS within a fixed radius of each dive site. Occurrence records confirm presence and reveal seasonality clustering, but they DO NOT measure per-dive probability — there is no eligible-effort denominator. We deliberately do not publish a numeric '% chance of sighting' from this data.
Sources
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility — GBIF Secretariat
- Ocean Biodiversity Information System — IOC-UNESCO
- OBIS-SEAMAP — Duke University Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab / OBIS
- iNaturalist — California Academy of Sciences & National Geographic Society
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species — International Union for Conservation of Nature
- WoRMS — World Register of Marine Species — Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ)
- FishBase — FishBase Consortium
- Atlas of Living Australia — CSIRO / GBIF Australia
- REEF Volunteer Fish Survey — Reef Environmental Education Foundation
Conditions
| Month | Water | Visibility | Current |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 6–8 °C | 5–10 m | mild |
| Feb | 6–8 °C | 5–10 m | mild |
| Mar | 7–9 °C | 8–12 m | mild |
| Apr | 8–10 °C | 10–15 m | mild |
| May | 9–11 °C | 10–18 m | mild |
| Jun | 10–12 °C | 12–20 m | mild |
| Jul | 11–13 °C | 12–20 m | mild |
| Aug | 11–13 °C | 12–20 m | mild |
| Sep | 10–12 °C | 10–18 m | mild |
| Oct | 9–11 °C | 8–15 m | mild |
| Nov | 7–9 °C | 6–12 m | mild |
| Dec | 6–8 °C | 5–10 m | mild |
Season calendar
Peak season highlighted · current month outlined
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