NORDFAHRT - North Sea Coast

The Nordfahrt wreck, off the North Sea Coast, is one of those dives that sticks with you. We’re talking about a proper piece of history here, a steamship that went down in 1945, likely a victim of a mine. What remains is a substantial structure sitting at 27 metres, easily explored if you’re comfortable with deeper wreck diving and cooler water. We love the way the wreck has settled, largely intact, offering swim-throughs into cargo holds that are now home to thick shoals of cod and pollock. Drop into one of those holds, and the light shifts dramatically, turning the whole scene a deep, moody blue. Visibility can be a mixed bag, as it often is in the North Sea, but on a good day, you get incredible atmospheric views of the whole 92-metre length. It’s a dangerous wreck, officially, but that’s more about its historical status than its diveability for experienced wreck divers. Our favourite part? The stern section, where the prop shaft is still visible, encrusted with anemones. We’d suggest timing your dive for slack tide; the currents can be quite strong here, and you want to really take your time soaking in the history. This isn't a dive for beginners, but for those with some experience, it’s a genuinely rewarding look into maritime history, colonised by the resilient life of the North Sea.

Location: North Sea Coast, Denmark, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates: 54.608833, 10.956166
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 27m

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)

Nearest Dive Centres to NORDFAHRT

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

dab (Limanda limanda) - Reef Fish
Protestant (Clupea harengus) - Reef Fish
Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) - Reef Fish
whiting (Merlangius merlangus) - Reef Fish
Ocean quahog (Arctica islandica) - Clams & Mussels
Fluke (Platichthys flesus) - Reef Fish
Blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) - Clams & Mussels
sprat (Sprattus sprattus) - Reef Fish
Common cockle (Cerastoderma edule) - Clams & Mussels
bull rout (Myoxocephalus scorpius) - Reef Fish
Sea potato (Echinocardium cordatum) - Sea Urchins
Sand mason (Lanice conchilega) - Worms
eel (Anguilla anguilla) - Reef Fish
Edible periwinkle (Littorina littorea) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
Common sea star (Asterias rubens) - Starfish
long rough dab (Hippoglossoides platessoides) - Reef Fish
Pollock (Trachurus trachurus) - Reef Fish
Common shore crab (Carcinus maenas) - Crabs & Lobsters
New Zealand Mudsnail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
Common dragonet (Callionymus lyra) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for NORDFAHRT

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