News
Return to Scapa Flow: Beyond the Battleships
We had the opportunity to return to Scapa Flow this fall, during the centenary year of the scuttling of the German Fleet. As always it was with great excitement that we arrived in Stromness, added to that we were diving on a boat filled with our dive friends from around the world. With the reunion and high experience level of the boat, it was certain to be a fun week!
The Dream Team
The itinerary for the week included the usual celebrities, the König, Karlsruhe, Kronprinz Wilhelm, Brummer, Cöln and F2 as well as some rather special dives including the Markgraf. Following the centenary commemorations many of the German High Seas Fleet vessels have had flags placed on the wrecks, which gave an interesting new feature to search out in additon to the metal structures and marine life.
Stromness
The massive German battleships and cruisers are rightfully the stars of the Flow and for our technical divers the collosal bow of the Markgraf was the experience of the week… but we found that there are some interesting additional options if you have the time and crew to take you to different dive sites. We were fortunate enough to dive three wrecks that we hadn’t before: the sunken U-Boat UB-116, the Bayern turrets, and the blockship Tabarka.
Our Dive Boat
UB-116
The UB-116 was the last U-Boat to be sunk in WWI. On October of 1918, with the aim of penetrating Scapa Flow and detroying as many vessels as possible, UB-116 unknowingly entered the minefield protecting Hoxa Sound and was destroyed. She was raised in 1919, but foundered at the mouth of Pan Hope. A controlled explosion was conducted to deal with the live torpedoes, and as such the submarine is very broken up with the conning tower as one of the few remaining identifiable features.
The wreck of UB-116 is pretty small, and relatively shallow for Scapa Flow, so it is usually done as a second dive of the day. We enjoyed our short drop into the site as it was something different to see. The detached conning tower lying about 10 meters from the rest of the hull was still intact and a delight to swim around. The rest of the hull was mostly tangled metal wreckage but we managed to see a nice dogfish swimming around the wreckage. Plus now we can say we have dived a submarine!
Bayern Turrets
The battleship SMS Bayern was interned in Scapa Flow with the German High Seas Fleet and scuttled on 21st June 1919. During salvaging in 1934, the extraordinarily heavy armored turrets of the Bayern slipped out of their hull and remain upside down on the ocean floor to this day. They now sit at a max depth of 45m.
Our dive on the Bayern turrets dive site offered a look at something special: the insides of the 15-inch guns of the battleship Bayern. At 38m, our bottom time was limited, but we were still able to circle and get good looks at two of the mighty turrets. The highlight was seeing the tracks of 10-inch steel ball bearings on which the turrets used to rotate. This was quite a unique dive and had us wishing for more dive time.
Tabarka
The Tabarka was originally sunk as blockship in Kirk Sound in 1941, but was raised and re-sunk as a blockship in Burra Sound in 1944. She is now one of the 3 remaining blockships in the flowing current of the Burra Sound, resting upside down at 15m, she is only divable at slack tide.
The wreck of the block ship Tabarka was a surprise favorite of ours as the best dive of our week in Scapa. In this area of extreme tides, not only do you need an experienced skipper to drop you in at the right place, but you need to do a negative entry to get down to the wreck as quickly as possible. One upside of the current here is that it means there are less suspended particles in the water and better visibility than at other spots in the Flow and also the tidal currents nourish the marine life that clings to the wreck.
Our dive group managed to get straight down to the bottom (it wasn’t deep, maybe 12m or so), and then fin right up to the side of the Tabarka. The wreck was roughly split in two halves, and each side offered not only respite from the current, but an ethereal, almost zen-like atmosphere with sunlight streaming in through windows and cutouts in the hull, along with strands of kelp wafting in the current. The floor and inside of the wreck was festooned with life and we had ample time to slowly explore each half of the wreck, enjoying the experience for around 45 minutes. The return to our boat was a dramatic conclusion to the dive, with a carefully coordinated fast drift in the current as we ascended slowly. Those with a keen eye spotted the remains of other blockship wrecks below us as we drifted. Back on board it was clear from all the grinning faces that we were not the only ones totally enthralled by this wreck.
One final note … underwater photography in Scapa Flow is hard! To my chagrin it took me 7 dives to figure out that a standard fisheye lens with two strobe setup doesn’t really cut it there, given the average visibility was about 4 meters. The solution: as many thousands of lumens of off-camera lighting as you can manage. A team of lighting assistants would also be rather helpful! Volunteers anyone? The best I could manage on this trip were a few grainy black and white conversions, but at least I’ll know better before our next visit!
Follow more of CJ and Mike’s diving adventures at www.bimbleintheblue.com.
Ho Ho Ho! Vobster Quay’s recording-breaking charity Santa diving event returns on Sunday 15th December 2024 for another round of festive fundraising frivolities. Run in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Help For Heroes, this ever-popular annual fundraising event aims to raise sack-loads of cash for these two very deserving charities.
Divers of all levels are invited to grab their Santa outfits – and as much festive cheer as they can muster – and head down to Vobster Quay near Mells, Somerset for a mass sponsored Santa dive in aid of charity. In previous years, the event has attracted divers from the far corners of the UK to join in the festive merriment for a final festive dive before the Christmas and New Year break. Back in 2015, the event smashed the world record for the most Santa divers with 188 divers taking to the waters donning their festive finery – a record that remains unbeaten to this day!
Vobster Santas isn’t just about setting records – it’s also about raising some serious cash for charity. Vobster Quay encourages all divers to get into the spirit of the season to raise much-needed funds for two very deserving charities – the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Help For Heroes.
Through individual sponsorship and online donations, divers can invite their friends, family and work colleagues to sponsor them to plunge into the balmy waters of Vobster Quay dressed in full festive finery. Since the very first Santa dive in 2007, the event has raised over £52,000 for charity. “It’s been over 17 years since the very first charity Santa dive took place at Vobster Quay and every year the event just keeps getting bigger and better” enthused Vobster Quay owner, Amy Stanton.
“Vobster Santas is a great way for divers to say a massive thank you to the both the RNLI and Help For Heroes – two very deserving charities close to our hearts. We’re immensely proud of all that Vobster Santas has achieved and hope that even more divers will join this year’s event on Sunday 15th December. I’m confident that we can make Vobster Santas 2024 the biggest yet!”.
Divers wishing to participate can get involved by simply registering their attendance at
www.vobster.com/event-vobstersantas.php.
Blogs
Dive into Adventure at Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa: The Ultimate Diving Destination in the Maldives
Tucked away in the remote northern Haa Alifu Atoll, Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa is a premier destination for anyone seeking an unforgettable underwater experience. With over 30 dive sites to explore, divers of all levels can witness the unique and mesmerising beauty of the underwater world. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or new to the sport, Hideaway offers an exceptional diving adventure that is not to be missed.
Explore the Beauty Beneath the Surface
Hideaway is perfectly situated near some of the most spectacular dive sites in the Maldives. The dive school and team at Hideaway offer a very personalised experience to ensure each diver gets an interactive, immersive experience.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Unique dive spots such as Theefaridhoo Thila (Heaven and Hell) as one of the 50 best dive sites in the whole of the Maldives, known for its beautiful soft coral gardens.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
As the resort is located next to a channel which gives guests surprise visits from eagle rays, manta rays, guitar sharks and more.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
One of the standout features of diving in the Haa Alifu Atoll is the abundance of rare and exotic marine species. The area is known for sightings of whale sharks, manta rays, turtles, and a variety of colorful reef fish. Diving at Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa offers a rare opportunity to encounter these creatures in their natural habitat, creating lifelong memories for guests.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Whether you’re exploring deep coral gardens, dramatic overhangs, or vibrant reef walls, each dive offers something new and exciting. The visibility in the Maldives is exceptional, often exceeding 30 meters, making it ideal for both underwater photography and general exploration.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Diving for All Levels
At Hideaway, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the thrill of diving. That’s why we cater to divers of all levels, from beginners to experienced professionals. Our professional dive center, led by expert instructors, offers a range of courses and guided dives. If you’re new to diving, you can start with an introductory course that will teach you the basics of scuba diving in a safe and controlled environment.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
For more experienced divers, we offer advanced dive courses and guided excursions to some of the more challenging dive sites. Our instructors are knowledgeable and passionate about the local marine life, ensuring that every dive is not only safe but also informative and enjoyable.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Exclusive Diving Offer
To make your stay even more unforgettable, Hideaway is offering an exclusive diving package designed to enhance your experience both above and below the water. When you book a minimum 7-night stay, you’ll receive:
- 35% discount on room rates.
- Complimentary diving: 3 dives per person for 2 guests, allowing you to experience the beauty of the Maldives underwater world.
- Free meal plan upgrade: enjoy a complimentary upgrade from Bed & Breakfast to Half Board, or from Half Board to Full Board. Guests who prefer the White Platinum Plan (WPP) can avail it at a discounted rate.
This incredible offer provides the perfect opportunity to experience world-class diving while enjoying all the luxury and comfort that Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa is known for.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Combinable Offers for Even More Value
This diving offer can also be combined with our Anniversary and Honeymoon offers, allowing you to create the perfect celebration package. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone or simply seeking a romantic getaway, this offer ensures that you can enjoy the best of both worlds – luxurious accommodations and unforgettable diving adventures.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Terms & Conditions
- This offer is available exclusively for bookings made through the official Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa website using a specific booking code.
- The offer cannot be combined with other promotions available on the website or through other channels, nor can it be redeemed for cash.
- All dives are subject to weather conditions, ensuring the safety and enjoyment of all guests.
- Black-out dates: This offer is not available from 24th December 2024 to 9th January 2025.
To book this exquisite offer, use the Promo Code: SCUBA24FD
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Hideaway is not just a resort; it’s a sanctuary for those seeking peace, adventure, and luxury. With spacious villas, private pools, and world-class dining options, the resort offers everything you need for a perfect holiday. From tennis, golf, gym, cycling to the exquisite underwater activities, unique dining options, Hideaway has something for everyone. And for diving enthusiasts, it provides an unparalleled opportunity to explore some of the most beautiful dive sites in the world.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Our dive center is fully equipped with state-of-the-art gear, ensuring that every dive is safe, comfortable, and enjoyable. Our instructors are passionate about the underwater world and are eager to share their knowledge with you, whether it’s your first dive or your 100th.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
The Ultimate Dive Adventure Awaits
If you’re looking for an unforgettable diving holiday in the Maldives, look no further than Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa. With over 30 dive sites, unique marine life, and exclusive offers, we provide the ultimate underwater experience. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply seeking adventure, our diving package offers exceptional value and incredible memories.
Book now through our official website to take advantage of this exclusive offer and prepare for the dive adventure of a lifetime.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Call: +960 650-1515
Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
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