RATINGEN - Bornholm

Ratingen isn't your typical Bornholm dive. Forget dropping into a deep, dark wreck. This coaster, stranded off Falster Island back in '77, is barely submerged. We’re talking two metres, max. It’s an unusual dive, a shallow wreck perfect for a long bottom time, especially if you’re into wreck photography without the pressure of depth. The wreck itself is a mosaic of rusted steel, a skeleton picked clean by time and the gentle currents. Sunlight filters easily, illuminating the hull's contours and the scattered debris. We love how the light plays on the metal, highlighting the texture of the rust and the way kelp fronds sway in the surge. You'll find schools of small fish darting in and out of the twisted metal plates, their scales catching the light. We’ve spotted crabs scuttling amongst the growth, and on calmer days, the water is still enough to really appreciate the details of the deck structure. It's a surprisingly peaceful place, even with the proximity to shore. Our favourite way to dive it is a slow, methodical exploration, really soaking up the atmosphere. Just watch for boat traffic if you're venturing out too far from the wreck itself.

Location: Bornholm, Denmark, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates: 54.835000, 12.168333
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 2m

Marine Protected Area: Ulvsund, Grønsund og Farø Fjord

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)

Nearest Dive Centres to RATINGEN

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

Protestant (Clupea harengus) - Reef Fish
Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) - Reef Fish
Fluke (Platichthys flesus) - Reef Fish
whiting (Merlangius merlangus) - Reef Fish
sprat (Sprattus sprattus) - Reef Fish
dab (Limanda limanda) - Reef Fish
Blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) - Clams & Mussels
Pollock (Trachurus trachurus) - Reef Fish
bull rout (Myoxocephalus scorpius) - Reef Fish
Ocean quahog (Arctica islandica) - Clams & Mussels
eel (Anguilla anguilla) - Reef Fish
four-bearded rockling (Enchelyopus cimbrius) - Reef Fish
New Zealand Mudsnail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) - Reef Fish
Common sea star (Asterias rubens) - Starfish
lumpsucker (Cyclopterus lumpus) - Reef Fish
saithe (Pollachius virens) - Reef Fish
Split (Scomber scombrus) - Reef Fish
Common cockle (Cerastoderma edule) - Clams & Mussels
Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for RATINGEN

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