PRESTON NORTH END - Silfra & Thingvellir

Okay, let's set the record straight: "Preston North End" isn't exactly the *Preston North End* you might be imagining from the football pitches. This is the shipwreck. And before we go further, if you’re coming to Iceland for wreck diving, you’re often coming for the challenge and the history, not necessarily a riot of colour. This is a deep one, hitting 50 metres, so it's strictly for experienced technical divers comfortable with cold water and potentially limited visibility. The SS Preston North End, a British steam trawler, met its end on the Geirfugladraugar reef way back in 1904. Not 1950, as some records incorrectly state. She ran aground, then slipped off the reef into the deeper water where she now lies, largely intact but exposed to the relentless North Atlantic currents. What we love about this wreck is the sheer sense of history you get when descending onto her. The bow points eastward, with her stern angled down the slope, often shrouded in the gloom. You can make out the superstructure, the deck gear, and the massive propeller, now a skeletal relic. The marine life here isn't tropical, but you'll find wolfish lurking in the shadows, cod cruising the deck, and sometimes even a respectful gathering of lumpfish clinging to the metalwork. Our favourite time to dive her is on a calm day, with minimal swell, aiming for slack tide if you can time it. That’s when the water settles, giving you those precious extra moments to really appreciate the scale of this old girl and the silence of her final resting place.

Location
Silfra & Thingvellir, Iceland, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
63.676388, -23.300000
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
50m

Marine Protected Area: Eldey

Best Time to Dive in Silfra & Thingvellir

The warmest water temperatures in Silfra & Thingvellir occur in August, averaging 12.2°C. The coolest conditions are in February at 3.7°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 3.9°C
  • February: 3.7°C
  • March: 4.4°C
  • April: 5.9°C
  • May: 7.8°C
  • June: 10.1°C
  • July: 11.8°C
  • August: 12.2°C
  • September: 10.5°C
  • October: 8.0°C
  • November: 6.0°C
  • December: 4.6°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Silfra & Thingvellir

Nearest Dive Centres to PRESTON NORTH END

Marine Life in Silfra & Thingvellir

Home to 30 recorded species including 8 seagrass & algae, 6 whales & dolphins, 6 reef fish, 3 clams & mussels, 3 sea snails & nudibranchs, 1 other.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for PRESTON NORTH END

Based on average water temperature of 7.4°C, currents 4 cm/s.

  • Drysuit - water at 7°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