ATTILA - Bornholm

The *Attila* isn’t your typical Caribbean wreck; this is proper Baltic diving, and we absolutely love it for that. She went down in 1922, a steamship that now sits upright at 28 meters, remarkably intact given her age and the environment. You’ll feel the chill of the Baltic even in summer, but that just adds to the atmosphere as you descend onto her deck. We always find the engine room penetration a real highlight, a tight squeeze but incredibly rewarding as you fin past machinery still mostly in place. Visibility can be hit or miss, but when it's good, you can see the whole bow stretching out, blanketed in soft anemones. Dogfish often lurk in the shadows, and we’ve spotted some surprisingly large cod tucked into the cargo holds. It's a dive for those who appreciate history and don't mind a bit of a challenge; not for beginners, but for divers comfortable with depth and overhead environments, it’s a genuinely rewarding experience. Our tip: go with a local guide; they know the *Attila*'s secrets, and there are many.

Location
Bornholm, Denmark, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
54.632668, 13.758000
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
28m

Wreck History - ATTILA

Year Sunk
1922
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
unknown

The story of the steamship Attila is shrouded in the cold, deep waters off the Danish island of Bornholm. Sunk on January 5th, 1922, the specific circumstances of its loss are not widely known, leaving a tantalizing mystery for divers to ponder. As a steamship from the early 20th century, it represents a pivotal era of maritime transport, a ghost from the age of coal and steel now silent on the seabed.

Lying at a depth of 28 meters, the Attila is a dive for advanced recreational divers. The wreck is classified as 'dangerous,' suggesting potential hazards such as collapsed structures, sharp metal, or entanglement risks from old fishing nets, demanding careful dive planning and execution. For those prepared for the challenge, it offers a rewarding exploration of a historic vessel and a glimpse into a largely forgotten piece of Baltic maritime history.

Marine Protected Area: Adler Grund og Rønne Banke

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 ATTILA

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 ATTILA

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