Wreck of Mars - Bornholm

Forget your usual warm-water wreck dives; the Mars is a different beast entirely. Lying off Bornholm, this isn't just a sunken ship, it's a cold-water time capsule. We're talking about a 16th-century Swedish warship, mind you, and the sheer scale of it hits you first. As you descend, the sheer timbers emerge from the gloom, still holding the ghost of battles long past. Our favourite part has to be finning past those ancient cannons, often draped in kelp, with the occasional cod peering out from a dark corner. The visibility here can be tricky, so pick your day carefully, ideally with minimal swell. When it's good, though, exploring the intact sections of the hull, still bristling with artefacts, is an incredible experience. You'll often find ling and conger eels making homes in the deeper parts of the structure, and the occasional curious seal might even join your dive. It’s a dive for those who appreciate history and don't mind a bit of a chill; a drysuit is definitely recommended. It’s a privilege to see a wreck this old, this well-preserved, and still relatively untouched.

Location
Bornholm, Denmark, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
57.140278, 17.348888
Type
wreck

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 Wreck of Mars

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 Wreck of Mars

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