DORCAS - North Sea Coast

The Dorcas, a steamship that went down way back in 1883, sits upright at 20 meters, making it a surprisingly accessible bit of history for the North Sea. We love that you can still make out the superstructure, particularly the bow, which is often draped in kelp. It’s a proper wreck dive, not just a pile of debris, and because it’s been down there for so long, it's become a fantastic artificial reef. As you descend, the visibility can be variable, sometimes a murky green, other times surprisingly clear, letting you pick out the outline of the hull early on. The ship's structure is fairly intact, providing plenty of nooks and crannies for cod, pollack, and even the occasional conger eel to hide. Our favourite part is exploring the deck, imagining the final moments of this vessel, then seeing it now, reclaimed by nature. We’d suggest going at slack tide, as the currents here can really pick up, making it a much more enjoyable dive. It’s perfect for divers with a bit of wreck experience who appreciate a dive with a story and don’t mind a bit of a chillier dip.

Location
North Sea Coast, Denmark, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
55.367535, 10.819989
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
20m

Marine Protected Area: Vresen

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 DORCAS

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 DORCAS

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