ANE MAGRETHE
Protected Area
Vadehavet
Why dive here
With 95+ marine species recorded in the area - including seals & sea lions, sea turtles and jellyfish lake - ANE MAGRETHE offers some of North Sea Coast's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 3-19°C, warmest July, August, September.
The *Ane Margrethe* wreck sits in just two metres of water, a surprising dip into history right off the North Sea coast. We love this site for its sheer accessibility and the feeling of stepping back in time. You’re essentially snorkelling a piece of wartime history, a fishing vessel sunk by a mine in 1945. What you experience here is the hull of a small boat, broken but still quite recognisable, resting on the sandy bottom. Sunlight streams through the shallow water, illuminating the wreck and the small crabs scuttling over its plates. Schools of juvenile fish dart in and out of the crevices where the metal has buckled. It’s a gentle exploration, perfect for beginners, or experienced divers looking for something a bit different on a calm day. Our favourite part is spotting the occasional flatfish camouflaged against the sand right beside the wreck, almost part of it. We’d suggest a low tide for the best visibility, but honestly, even a slight ripple on the surface adds to the atmospheric quality of the dive. It’s not about grand corals here, it’s about touching history.
Typical ANE MAGRETHE 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.
ANE MAGRETHE Wreck History
Year Sunk
1945
Vessel Type
fishing vessel
Cause
mine
The Ane Magrethe was a Danish fishing vessel that met a tragic end in the final months of World War II. On April 1, 1945, with the war in Europe nearing its conclusion, the waters of the North Sea remained a deadly, invisible battlefield. The sea was littered with mines laid over years of conflict, a constant danger to all shipping, military and civilian alike.
While engaged in its work off the Danish coast, the Ane Magrethe struck one of these submerged mines. The resulting explosion was catastrophic, sinking the vessel instantly. It serves as a somber reminder of the war's lasting impact and the indiscriminate nature of its hidden perils, claiming lives right up to the very end.
Lying in just 2 meters of water, the wreck is classified as dangerous, likely due to its shallow depth posing a hazard to navigation and the presence of sharp, twisted metal. For divers and snorkelers, this is a very shallow exploration of a historical site. The remains are scattered, a testament to the violent force of the explosion. It's a poignant dive, offering a direct connection to the maritime history of WWII in a location accessible to all levels of experience, conditions permitting.
Reviews for ANE MAGRETHE
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for ANE MAGRETHE
ANE MAGRETHE Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for ANE MAGRETHE, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (55.31, 9.86) (1km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
13°C
56°F · Range: 10.7–16.8°C
Air Temperature
11°C
52°F
Wind Speed
7.69 m/s
14.9 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1010.5 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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