ANN IONA - Bornholm

We’ve visited our share of wrecks, but the Ann Iona, sitting off Bornholm, holds a particular charm. She was a trawler, sank back in ’66 after a collision, and now she’s a proper dive for those who appreciate a wreck with a story and a touch of mystery. She sits upright at 40 metres, and while that depth means you’ll want to be comfortable with your decompression procedures, the rewards are pretty sweet. Dropping down, the first thing you notice is the light, or lack thereof, filtering through the Baltic’s green embrace. Then, her silhouette emerges. The Ann Iona is remarkably intact for her age, with a lot of her superstructure still standing. We love nosing around the wheelhouse, imagining the chaos of her final moments. Inside, the fish are plentiful – we’ve seen cod hunkering down, sculpins camouflaged against the decaying metal, and often a few inquisitive crabs scuttling over the deck. Our favourite spot is usually around the stern, where the prop is still discernible, and the current has sculpted some fascinating patterns in the sand around her. This isn't a colourful reef dive, but if you’re into the stark beauty of a historical wreck, and don't mind the chillier water, the Ann Iona delivers. Just remember your drysuit and a good light, it gets dim down there.

Location
Bornholm, Denmark, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
55.282818, 14.617717
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
40m

Wreck History - ANN IONA

Vessel Type
fishing vessel
Cause
unknown

Resting in the cold, dark waters off the Danish island of Bornholm, the Ann Iona is an enigmatic fishing vessel shrouded in mystery. With no official records detailing the date or cause of her sinking, her story is left to the imagination of the divers who explore her. Lying at a depth of 40 meters, this is a challenging dive reserved for experienced individuals with training for deeper excursions. The wreck is reportedly in a good state of preservation due to the cold, low-salinity waters of the Baltic Sea. Divers can expect to find a ghostly silhouette on the seabed, with nets and fishing gear presenting both an interesting sight and a potential entanglement hazard, which likely contributes to its 'dangerous wreck' classification.

Marine Protected Area: I

Best Time to Dive in Bornholm

The warmest water temperatures in Bornholm occur in January, averaging 3.3°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 3.3°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 3.3°C (air: 3.1°C)
  • February: 3.3°C (air: 3.2°C)
  • March: 3.3°C (air: 3.9°C)
  • April: 3.3°C (air: 6.0°C)
  • May: 3.3°C (air: 10.9°C)
  • June: 3.3°C (air: 16.1°C)
  • July: 3.3°C (air: 17.4°C)
  • August: 3.3°C (air: 18.0°C)
  • September: 3.3°C (air: 15.7°C)
  • October: 3.3°C (air: 11.5°C)
  • November: 3.3°C (air: 7.1°C)
  • December: 3.3°C (air: 3.5°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Bornholm

Nearest Dive Centres to ANN IONA

Marine Life in Bornholm

Home to 67 recorded species including 43 reef fish, 7 clams & mussels, 5 sea snails & nudibranchs, 4 crabs & lobsters, 2 starfish, 2 other.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for ANN IONA

Based on average water temperature of 3.3°C.

  • Drysuit - water at 3°C demands a drysuit with thermal undergarments
  • Hood & Gloves (7mm+) - critical to prevent heat loss
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories