BALTIC - Bornholm

The Baltic, off Bornholm, isn't your average Med wreck. It’s a sailing vessel, sunk by a mine in 1939, and it sits upright at 24 metres. We love how intact it still is, a proper piece of maritime history down there. You can feel the cold water, the kind that preserves wood beautifully. The stern, in particular, is captivating. We found the rudder and prop still in place, almost as if it’s waiting for a tow. Visibility here can be a bit variable, but on a good day, the light penetrates enough to illuminate the masts, which are still mostly standing. These masts are our favourite feature; they’ve become a vertical garden for anemones and hydroids, reaching up into the gloom. Schools of cod and pollock often hang around the rigging, darting in and out of the shadows. It’s a site that really makes you think about its story. For divers who appreciate history and don't mind a bit of chill, it’s a seriously rewarding experience. Just remember your drysuit.

Location
Bornholm, Denmark, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
55.259550, 12.584066
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
24m

Wreck History - BALTIC

Year Sunk
1939
Vessel Type
sailing vessel
Cause
mine
Tonnage
179 GRT

The Baltic was a Danish sailing vessel, a three-masted schooner that represented an older age of seafaring even as the world plunged into modern warfare. These graceful ships were still a common sight in the early 20th century, carrying smaller cargoes between regional ports. The Baltic was one such vessel, going about its business in the busy shipping lanes of the sea that shared its name.

On October 2, 1939, just one month into World War II, the Baltic met its fate in The Sound, the strait separating Denmark and Sweden. While underway, it struck a naval mine, one of the many thousands laid by both Allied and Axis forces to disrupt enemy shipping. The explosion was catastrophic, sinking the wooden-hulled schooner and making it one of the war's early maritime casualties in the region.

Resting at a comfortable recreational depth of 24 meters near the island of Bornholm, the wreck of the Baltic is a fascinating dive into history. While the wooden structure has deteriorated over the decades, the general shape of the sailing vessel is still discernible. It offers a poignant contrast to the many steel freighters and warships that litter the seabed, reminding divers of a bygone era of sail and the indiscriminate nature of naval mines.

Marine Protected Area: Stevns Klint

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 BALTIC

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 BALTIC

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