

Best for advanced divers, 16-42m, boat entry, moderate current.
SMS König is a scuttled German battleship located in Scapa Flow. The wreck sits upright on the seabed, with the main deck at approximately 16 metres and the hull reaching 42 metres. This site is suited for advanced divers capable of navigating large steel structures. Access is by boat only, and dives typically last 30 minutes. Conditions include moderate currents and visibility ranging from 5 to 20 metres. Water temperatures are cold, between 8 and 13 degrees Celsius, making drysuit diving essential. Divers should be aware of hazards including boat traffic and entanglement risks. Slack water is the recommended window for diving, and coordination with a charter skipper is necessary.
58.88550, -3.15117
Slack water is the practical window here, so coordinate your dive time with the charter skipper who will know the tidal cycle precisely. Nitrox certification is listed as a requirement, and running nitrox on the deeper sections gives you meaningful bottom time that air simply does not.
Access info coming soon
Recorded nearby, within 20km
Depth
16-42m
Visibility
5-20m
Skill Level
Advanced
Entry
Boat
Boat required
Water Temp
8-13°C
Current
Moderate
Typical Dive
30 min
The wreck lies with its main deck at approximately 16 metres, while the hull extends down to 42 metres.
No, this site is intended for advanced divers due to the depth, potential for entanglement, and the requirement for specific training.
Access to the site is by boat only, and you should arrange your dive through a local boat charter.
A drysuit is essential due to cold water temperatures. Additionally, Nitrox certification is required, and penetration dives necessitate redundant lighting and a line reel.
Water temperatures range from 8 to 13 degrees Celsius, and visibility varies between 5 and 20 metres with moderate currents.
Diving at SMS König in Stromness requires the following certifications: Advanced, Wreck, Deep, Nitrox. Always dive within your training limits.