Wreck diving trip to the Shetland Islands – Liveaboard with MV Valhalla
A few quick words about a wreck diving trip to the Shetland Islands. I love wrecks but I wanted to do something different.
It's easy to get caught up in the classic diving trips, Egypt, Malta, maybe Norway if you like cold water. All places have some wrecks, including the Maldives, the Philippines and so on. But the Shetland Islands?
It was something completely different. Raw, remote and incredibly beautiful. I spent a week in Shetland Islands with MV Valhalla as a base, and it was one of the most genuine diving experiences I've had.
First: Shetland, really?
Yes, so… The Shetland Islands are up there in the middle of nowhere out in the North Atlantic between Scotland and Norway, in the middle of the North Sea. Windy, barren, weather-beaten and absolutely wonderful, full of history. Here you will find history and culture both above and below the surface. And it shows when you dive. It really is like stepping straight into another time and another world. The wrecks here are not only old, they feel almost completely untouched.
We're talking about ships from World War I and World War II, cargo ships, trawlers... everything. Many of these wrecks are quite shallow, 20-35 meters, so you can get long, nice dives. There are also some that are suitable for more experienced divers.
MV Valhalla – floating diving club
The boat then? MV Valhalla is not exactly a luxury cruiser, but the boat has everything you need. A good dive deck, hot food, drying cabinet (!!), and a wonderful crew who both know what they are doing and who seem to love it. They knew every wreck and dive site inside and out, and briefed in a way that made everyone feel safe but still excited. If we had questions, they were always ready to answer and help.
After each dive, we put on our caps, went into the lounge, and then ate soup or lasagna and talked about what we had seen. There was always someone who managed to find an old bottle, a tire with the hub still on, old porcelain, or just glided around and filmed schools of fish among all the wreckage.
Favorite dive? Difficult.
One of the best dives we did was probably on a wreck called Pioneersk. The entire bow lay open like a book, with steel beams and cargo spaces where light filtered in between planks and swaying seaweed. Here and there a fish or a small shoal hanging in or around the wreck. You swam through parts where there were still shelves and old machine parts. It almost felt like being in an underwater ghost town.
The water was cold, around 9°C degrees most of the time, so a dry suit was really a must. What surprised me was the visibility, some days we had up to 15-20 meters. Dark and nothing to see in the sea really does not apply here. It was definitely worth it.
Is it for everyone?
Well, so… this is not a resort trip for those who like luxury and flair. Here you sleep in bunk beds, share a shower, and it can be windy so that the boat rolls a little. But if you like wrecks, cold waters and nerding out about history and details, then a wreck diving trip to the Shetland Islands is gold.
And we all became really tight with the crew on board. There was as much camaraderie as diving all week. We would sit up in the evenings comparing GoPro clips, laughing about failed ascents or dropped lights, and sharing a bottle of real Scotch whisky and lots of stories.
Summary
Want to do something different, something that really feels like you? Go on a wreck diving trip to the Shetland Islands. MV Valhalla takes you to wrecks that few have dived and experienced. Here you get to experience a place where nature, culture and history are real. Nothing made up, nothing fake. Just raw diving, in the best and most fun way.
