BIRGITTE - North Sea Coast

The *Birgitte* is one of our favourite North Sea wrecks, and surprisingly accessible for its character. Resting at a comfortable 4 metres, this is less about depth and more about atmosphere. We love the way the light filters through the shallow water, illuminating the ghostly outline of the motor vessel. She went down in 1946, and the years have allowed a real community of life to settle in. You'll spend your time exploring the hull, now home to clouds of small fish, and if you’ve got a good eye, you might spot a flatfish camouflaged against the sand nearby. The wreck itself isn't massive, but the scattered debris field around it gives you plenty to potter through. It’s an ideal spot for newer wreck divers looking to get a feel for penetration, or for anyone who just wants a relaxed dive with a good sense of history. We’d suggest going at slack tide; the North Sea can get a bit pushy, and a calmer current makes for a much more enjoyable potter around the *Birgitte*.

Location
North Sea Coast, Denmark, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
56.524500, 10.582167
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
4m

Wreck History - BIRGITTE

Year Sunk
1946
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
unknown

Resting in the shallows off Denmark's North Sea coast, the wreck of the motor vessel Birgitte is an incredibly accessible dive site. Having sunk in February 1946, just months after the end of World War II, the specific cause of its loss remains undocumented, leaving a small mystery for visiting divers to ponder. At a mere 4 meters deep, the Birgitte can be explored by novice divers and even snorkelers on a calm day. However, authorities have classified it as a dangerous wreck; its shallow depth means it has been heavily worked by the sea, likely resulting in sharp, twisted metal and potential entanglement hazards. Divers should exercise extreme caution, but for those who do, it offers a fascinating glimpse into a post-war vessel just a stone's throw from the shore.

Marine Protected Area: Ålborg Bugt, østlige del

Best Time to Dive in North Sea Coast

The warmest water temperatures in North Sea Coast occur in January, averaging 4.6°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 4.6°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 4.6°C (air: 3.3°C)
  • February: 4.6°C (air: 3.6°C)
  • March: 4.6°C (air: 4.1°C)
  • April: 4.6°C (air: 6.7°C)
  • May: 4.6°C (air: 11.2°C)
  • June: 4.6°C (air: 15.4°C)
  • July: 4.6°C (air: 16.2°C)
  • August: 4.6°C (air: 16.7°C)
  • September: 4.6°C (air: 14.7°C)
  • October: 4.6°C (air: 10.8°C)
  • November: 4.6°C (air: 6.9°C)
  • December: 4.6°C (air: 3.3°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in North Sea Coast

Nearest Dive Centres to BIRGITTE

Marine Life in North Sea Coast

Home to 105 recorded species including 55 reef fish, 9 crabs & lobsters, 8 other, 7 clams & mussels, 6 sea snails & nudibranchs, 5 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for BIRGITTE

Based on average water temperature of 4.6°C.

  • Drysuit - water at 5°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