ALRUNE

Best months: Jul–Aug

Protected Area

Why dive here

With 95+ marine species recorded in the area - including seals & sea lions, sea turtles and jellyfish lake - ALRUNE offers some of North Sea Coast's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 3-19°C, warmest July, August, September.

Best timeJul–Aug

WetsuitA 5mm wetsuit

Marine lifeSeals & Sea Lions, Sea Turtles and Jellyfish Lake · 95+ species recorded

Water3-19°C · warmest July, August, September

CharacterWreck dive · max 8m

The Alrune isn't a deep dive, sitting at just 8 meters, but what it lacks in depth it more than makes up for in character. This old fishing vessel, sunk back in 1943, feels like a proper piece of history down there. We love the way the North Sea has claimed it, turning the timbers into a rough canvas for the local critters. You'll spend your time here picking through the collapsed hull, imagining the life it had. We often find lumpsuckers tucked into the crevices, their camouflage almost perfect against the barnacled wood. Conger eels are a common sight, peering out from deeper sections, and the current brings in schools of cod and pollock, swirling around the masts that still reach towards the surface. It’s a dive for those who appreciate wrecks with a story, not just perfect visibility. Visibility can be hit or miss, so check local reports, but even on a murkier day, the Alrune has a certain atmospheric charm. Go on a slack tide, if you can, to really take your time exploring.

Typical ALRUNE Dive Profile

Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

Safety Notes

Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.

Cold water this month (avg 13°C). Drysuit or thick wetsuit (7mm+) recommended.

Today06:4317:3410h 50m daylightGolden hour 16:44

ALRUNE Wreck History

Year Sunk

1943

Vessel Type

fishing vessel

Cause

unknown

The Alrune was a Danish fishing vessel that was lost to the sea on June 10, 1943. While the official cause of its sinking is unknown, its final voyage took place in the midst of World War II, when the Danish coast was a perilous place. The North Sea was heavily mined by both Allied and Axis forces, and any vessel, military or civilian, risked a fatal encounter. The Alrune may have been a victim of a mine, an attack, or simply the notoriously rough North Sea weather that has claimed countless ships over the centuries.

Lying at a depth of just 8 meters, the Alrune is a fantastic and highly accessible wreck for novice divers or those on a second dive of the day. Its designation as a 'dangerous wreck' indicates it is likely broken up, with sharp edges that require caution. However, this also creates countless nooks and crannies for marine life to shelter in. Divers can explore the remains of this piece of wartime history, now a thriving artificial reef for the cold-water species of the North Sea, and ponder the fate of the crew on that fateful day in 1943.