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Scuba Diving in Scapa Flow, Scotland, UK, Europe
Dive Site: Tabarka
Location: 58°9'N; 03°20'W
Description: 2600 ton freighter
Length: 20 metres approx. (65 feet)
Depth: 15 metres to seabed (50 feet)
Visibility: 15 metres (50 feet)
Rating: ****
The Tabarka makes a good second dive for later in the week when tissue saturation is going through the roof. It lies upside down and easy penetration is possible through large holes in the bow, with plenty of space leading to the engine room. There are two massive drums over 2 metres in diameter inside. This is a picturesque dive with many a photo opportunity for those who have cameras. There is a strong current flowing around the wreck that clears any silt away, so the wreckage may be visible from the surface. It lies amongst kelp forests. The sides of the wreck do not offer much to look at, you need to get to the bow or stern and venture inside. The light from the surface means a torch isn't necessary, but it would help to light up the abundant sea life. You will find shoals of fish, huge starfish, wrasse, sea urchins and much more around the wreck and inside it. This would make an ideal first wreck dive in cold water. A free ascent is necessary as the strength of the current does not allow for a line to be used. Be sure to look up on ascent in case of any other traffic passing overhead.
Reader Reviews:
A must dive when in Scapa. As said above there is good vis and plenty to see. I took about 40 photos on this dive and loved every minute of it.
Darren Mills, BSAC Dive Leader
Without question a top dive. The visibility is always fantastic and the upturned hull makes way for easy access inside. The light streaming in through the missing plates lends itself a cathedral like atmosphere.
Richard Nokes, BSAC Dive Leader
One of the best dives I've ever done was in June 1996 and I still rave about it today. The blockship Tabarka is a shallow dive which means for nitrox divers, she is just perfect for getting a long bottom time without high decompression penalties. She's upside down, but pretty much intact so penetration is easy. Inside she looks a bit like a half timbered house without the plaster infills. That day the atmosphere inside the wreck was magic, strongly reminiscent of a cathedral as the sun streamed through the portholes echoing the effect of stained glass in a church. So what was the visibility like? Well the viz was mouthwateringly clear, but the best bit was that a seal had followed me into the Tabarka. Every so often I would get a tug on my fins, so I would turn around to see what my buddy wanted, to find him grinning from ear to ear. I couldn't understand what was going on, as the seal was not obvious. This continued as the seal stayed and played. Ten years on, that dive is one that I have always treasured.
Rosemary Lunn
The currents make this a superbly challenging dive. Our skipper (on the John L - recommended) dropped us in just ahead of slack water. Negative entry required - the challenge is to get down and 'into the lee' of the wreck in order to get inside it. Once inside, the boilers and gaps in the structure create a fantastic atmosphere. Exiting the wreck once the current has picked up again is a bit like being a parachutist - the current rips you away as soon as you are outside the hull. What fun!
Adrian Simpson, PADI Divemaster
An amazing spectacle of a dive. A heavy entry to get down to the wreck and out of the current but once inside I didn't want it to end.
Awesome atmosphere and wildlife and I will always remember my SMB flying off horizontally out into the current followed by me on the end. A must dive.
Ollie Brown, PADI Divemaster
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