SS Hertfordshire Wreck - North Sea Coast

The SS Hertfordshire is classic North Sea wreck diving. We’re talking about a proper, honest-to-goodness wreck, sitting upright and mostly intact on a sandy seabed at around 20 metres. Torpedoed in WWII, she’s become a home for all sorts of things, and that’s why we love her. As you descend, the superstructure slowly resolves from the green gloom, often shrouded in schooling dab and scaldfish. Our favourite part has to be the cargo holds; they’re open and explorable, and even with a decent torch, it’s easy to feel the weight of history down there. You’ll weave through beams and twisted metal, often spotting lumpsucker tucked into crevices or a starry ray resting on the sand nearby. The deck guns are still in place too, a stark reminder of her wartime role, now encrusted with sea stars. Visibility can be a bit of a gamble here, sometimes 15 metres and clear, other days a murky 5. We’d suggest diving this one on a slack tide for the best experience, as currents can pick up. This wreck is a brilliant dive for intermediate divers who appreciate the history and the unique ecosystem a steel hull provides in an otherwise sandy expanse.

Location
North Sea Coast, Denmark, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
57.050000, 8.220000
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
15-20m
Difficulty
Intermediate

Marine Protected Area: Gule Rev

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 SS Hertfordshire Wreck

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 SS Hertfordshire Wreck

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