JOHN BIRKE - North Sea Coast

The John Birke is one of those wrecks that really sticks with you. It’s a small lighter, only about seven metres long, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in character. Lying upright at 22 metres, it feels like you've stumbled upon a miniature ghost ship. We love diving this wreck on a day with good visibility, perhaps eight metres or more, because then you can really appreciate its intact structure. You’ll find the steering gear still in place, which is always a neat detail. This isn’t a wreck for penetration, but it's perfect for a relaxed dive, circling slowly, picking out all the small features. Critters have made a real home here, too. We’ve often seen massive crabs tucked into crevices, their eyes watching you, and the deck beams are covered in anemones and dead man’s fingers. The current can pick up, so we’d suggest timing your dive for slack water; it makes for a much more enjoyable experience when you’re not fighting to stay put. For divers who appreciate historical context and a chance to spend quality time with a smaller, well-preserved wreck, the John Birke is a solid choice. It's a proper little time capsule down there.

Location
North Sea Coast, Denmark, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
55.411522, 10.876533
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
22m

Marine Protected Area: Romsø og sydkysten af Hindsholm

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 JOHN BIRKE

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 JOHN BIRKE

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