FRANZ HANIEL (PROBABLY) - North Sea Coast

Diving the *Franz Haniel (Probably)* off the North Sea coast is an honest-to-goodness wreck dive, the kind that makes you work a little for the reward. Dropping down to 18 metres, you’re greeted by the ghostly silhouette of an 87.5-metre steamship, torpedoed back in 1940. We love the history here, feeling that cold war story seeping from the hull. The visibility often isn't Caribbean blue, but that just adds to the atmosphere, a real sense of exploration. What makes this wreck special for us? It’s the way the structure has become a home. Expect to see substantial portions of the hull, some of the superstructure, and perhaps even the boilers if you know where to look. Schools of cod dart into the shadows, and we’ve often spotted lobsters tucked into crevices, their antennae waving in the current. This is a dive for those who appreciate the narrative of a wreck, the slower pace of discovering history and the life that now thrives on it. It’s not about bright colours, it’s about character.

Location
North Sea Coast, Denmark, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
54.555390, 10.471173
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
18m

Marine Protected Area: Marstal Bugt og den sydlige del af Langeland

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 FRANZ HANIEL (PROBABLY)

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 FRANZ HANIEL (PROBABLY)

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