INGRID LEONHARDT - North Sea Coast

Ingrid Leonhardt isn’t about colourful reefs; it’s about history, cold water, and the way the North Sea reclaims its own. This German freighter, scuttled by a mine just before the war’s end, lies broken but surprisingly intact at 17 metres. We love how the bow points defiantly upwards, almost inviting you to peer into its dark holds, while the stern lies more jumbled, a collection of twisted metal and shadows. The ship's superstructure is mostly gone, but we still find ourselves drawn to the massive cargo cranes, now draped in dead man's fingers and anemones. Visibility here can be a game of chance, but on a good day, the sheer scale of the wreck emerges from the green gloom, revealing its secrets. Expect to share the decks with schools of cod and pollock, sometimes lurking so close you can almost touch them, alongside the occasional crab scuttling into a crevice. It’s a dive for those who appreciate the quiet, reflective nature of wreck diving, a tangible connection to a moment in time, rather than a parade of vibrant colours. Dive this on a slack tide, if you can, to really take your time exploring the deeper sections.

Location
North Sea Coast, Denmark, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
54.587936, 10.930275
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
17m

Marine Protected Area: Femern Bælt

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 INGRID LEONHARDT

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 INGRID LEONHARDT

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