Scapa Flow Wrecks Are Protected. Can You Still Dive Them?

Some divers heard the news and wondered if Orkney's famous wrecks were now closed. From the official words, they are not. The Scottish Government says the order protects the largest concentration of warship wrecks and wartime artefacts in the UK, and Orkney Islands Council says it still allows responsible access, research and education where appropriate.

So for divers, the new status is a reason to check the rules before getting in the water. It is not a reason to assume wreck diving has ended.

What is being protected?

The Scapa Flow Historic Marine Protected Area includes important wrecks and the seabed around them. The site's history goes back to the scuttling of the German High Seas Fleet in 1919. It also includes other wrecks and wartime material from its years as a naval base.

Historic objects can be damaged or taken away before anyone records or conserves them. The designation gives the site a stronger legal frame. Under Scotland's Historic MPA system, it is a criminal offence to remove, alter or disturb a protected site. That way people can keep learning from it, without treating the seabed like a souvenir shop.

Can you still dive the Scapa Flow wrecks?

The practical answer depends on the current rules for each site and each activity. Check the official order and local dive guidance before you go.

Do not remove, change or disturb wreck material. Follow any restrictions, mooring instructions or safety guidance in force.

A responsible operator should explain how the designation affects the dive plan. They should also explain how the group avoids touching or damaging the wreck.

The wreck is also part of a living sea

A 2025 seabed survey found a flapper skate egg nursery in Scapa Flow. It is a reminder that history and nature share the same water here.

A wreck can hold a century of human history, while the habitat right next to it supports fragile marine life.

Explore our UK ocean guide for more marine travel context. A wreck dive can be an adventure and an act of care at the same time.

Questions people ask

Wildlife encounters are never guaranteed and never forced. Ocean Calling works only with vetted, ethical local operators, and every animal is free to approach, or not, entirely on its own terms.