ASTURIAS - Bornholm

Asturias, off Bornholm, is one of our favourite wreck dives in the Baltics. This isn’t some broken-up pile of debris; it’s a proper steamship, laid out on the seabed almost as if it just docked there. We’ve spent hours here, tracing the deck lines, peering into the cargo holds, and often finding schools of small cod darting between the superstructure. The Asturias went down after a collision in 1957, and you really feel that history when you’re down there. Visibility can vary, but on a good day, the light filtering through the green Baltic water gives the wreck an almost ethereal glow. We always recommend taking a good torch; there are plenty of nooks and crannies to explore, and you’ll find plenty of crabs tucked into the shadows. The intact bow section is particularly impressive, rising from the sand. This site really suits divers who appreciate a wreck with a story, and aren’t afraid of a bit of chill.

Location
Bornholm, Denmark, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
54.650000, 12.531667
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
17m

Wreck History - ASTURIAS

Year Sunk
1957
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
collision

The steamship Asturias met its end in the cold waters of the Baltic Sea off Bornholm, Denmark, on March 31, 1957. The vessel sank following a catastrophic collision with another ship, the Satakunta, before settling on the seabed at a depth of 17 meters. Today, the Asturias is a compelling destination for local divers, though its official classification as a 'dangerous wreck' suggests that penetration should only be attempted by those with proper training and that all divers should exercise caution when exploring its decaying structure.

Marine Protected Area: Bøchers Grund

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 ASTURIAS

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 ASTURIAS

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