Type:    2000t steamer built 1909. This block ship was scuttled to prevent submarine attack during WW2

Picture:   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Wreck Information : The Tabarka lies upside down and the boilers and reciprocating gear are intact, and the inside of the wreck is large and the viz is always over 25m as its a very tidal area. Its covered inside with marine life, anemones, lobsters, starfish, urchins and wrasse. Easy penetration dive, hull very open many access points close to the seabed.

Harbour / slip:  Stromness  

Travel directions:    Northlinkferries   0845 6000 449. Photographic ID is required on the ferry now 

Parking directions:    In the car park opposite to the ferry car entrance. 

Distance from harbour:    2.9 Nm

Lat / Long:   N58 55.498 W3 19.039 South of Stromness lying between the Island of Hoy is the small island of Graemsay. 

Chart:     Google

Depth:    18m

Tides:       Tide tables

Diveboat:    The Karin    Jean Elaine    Sharon Rose     Sunrise   Gaelic Rose    Invincible    Halton 

Dive Shop:    Scapascuba

Accommodation:   Polrudden guest house   Orkney Islands Tourist Board, 01856 872856,       Visit Orkney ,

Suggested experience:    Sport diver

Other comments:   This is a stunning wreck to dive you do a negitive entry (no air in your suit or BCD) when you descend into the water you drift into the side of the wreck, it does not look like a wreck. It looks like a big rock, as its covered in sea life, at the bottom of the wreck there are holes allowing you to enter and once inside its an amazing place. I generally head for the bow and drop down under the deck level, the viz is always over 20m and you can explore all the nooks and cranny's. From the bow I then head back to the stern looking at the massive engines. You can see all the old moving parts and pipework. From here I head to the stern and a cavernous area sometimes full of fish taking shelter from the currents outside. Make sure you leave in time as the current gets very fast. If you have stayed a bit to long you have to exit the wreck like a parachute jumper leaving a plane and get your SMB up ASAP so the boat knows where you are. If you put your SMB up before leaving the wreck it will empty the reel in seconds, The top of the wreck is only just below the surface and there is no shot line.

Pub:       The Ferry Inn  & Flatties Bar 

Created by:      John Nicolson

Date:    9/7/09

Revision:    3

Thanks To: 

Links: 

Underwater photos:      By Shiny     Utube

Wreck diagram:    Contact me

Dive Report: