Over the week 18th September to 25th September 2010 we are organising another trip to Scapa Flow in the Orkneys and we would like to invite you to join us on the adventure! Interested? Then read on ….
THE WRECKS
Scapa flow in the Orkneys on the far North East Coast of Scotland has been used as an anchorage for hundreds of years. It is a natural harbour surrounded by a ring of islands. At the end of WW1 the captured German Fleet was being held in Scapa Flow. On 21 June 1919, rather than allow the British to retain the ships, Admiral Von Reuter ordered the German Fleet to scuttle. The fleet was vast and this action resulted in 74 ships being sent to the depths of Scapa Flow, including 10 battleships, 6 battle cruisers, 8 light cruisers and 50 destroyers. While many of the ships were salvaged, many remain, including the biggest, known as the “big seven”.
THE DIVING
Although we are far North in the wilds of Scotland, the diving conditions are superb. September is the time of year when the water is warmest and visibility can be up to 20m. There are negligible currents and with so much wreckage and marine life to see the diving is quite simply awesome. We will be diving on a day boat for 6 days, doing 2 dives a day. The minimum experience level for this kind of diving is anyone who is an Advanced Open Water diver (or equivalent), or above, with UK experience. The water temperature is around 12 degrees at this time of year and while drysuits are ideal, thick wetsuits are also suitable. It is possible to go very deep on some of the sites, however, the majority of the dives are around the 25 – 35m range. As a result the use of nitrox is recommended to maximise dive times. While it is not absolutely essential, deep and wreck diver training would also be of benefit. We will be running all three of these programmes at a discounted rate between now and the date of the trip for those people joining us on the trip.
THE BOATS
We are using 2 boats. Each boat can take 12 divers. The boats all have plenty of space on board for equipment and gearing up, spacious saloons, heated changing rooms and shower facilities. They also have 12 and 15 litre tanks and weights, which means that we don’t have to take them ourselves. The boats provide copious amounts of hot drinks, soup, biscuits etc, and you can either have the lunch provided (at a cost) or take your own (which we all used to do on the previous trips). Skippers on both boats are extremely experienced and go out of their way to provide what we want.
THE ACCOMMODATION
We have booked self-catering accommodation in Stromness. These are houses/cottages in the centre of Stromness and within easy access of the boat and the local bars and shop(s). Accommodation is based on a twin-shared bedroom with the normal facilities that you will find in a small house (kitchen, living room, bathroom etc). They are all clean and comfortable.
TRAVEL DETAILS
There are 2 options – you can fly or drive. We will be driving one of the vans up with all the dive gear. Flights go from Southampton, however if you wish to drive there is a £250 reduction in the price of the trip.
COST
The cost is going to be £625 per person if you are flying, or £375 if you are driving. This includes all your diving and self-catering accommodation. Not included are the transfers to the airport and the taxi from Kirkwall to Stromness.
BOOKING
There are only a few spaces left. Therefore if you would like to join us on this trip we need to know as soon as possible.
SUMMARY
There is no doubt that Scapa Flow is one of the best wreck diving sites in the World and one of those places that all divers should have on their “need to do” list. This is a great opportunity to dive “The Flow” and have some great fun with a fantastic group of people. We hope you can join us in what is going to be an excellent trip.
