wreck

Log This Dive

HMS Effingham

The HMS Effingham off the Lofoten Islands is a proper wreck dive, not just a pile of scattered metal. We love a site with a bit of history you can actually feel, and this Hawkins-class heavy cruiser delivers. It’s sitting pretty upright, which makes for some incredible penetration dives if you’ve got the training and the right guide. Swim through the torpedo tubes, past the massive gun emplacements – you really get a sense of its scale. Our favourite part has to be the stern, where the damage from its grounding in 1940 is still evident, a real testament to the power of the sea. What’s perhaps even more striking is how nature has reclaimed it. Atlantic cod cruise through the deeper sections, and we’ve spotted massive halibut lurking in the shadows, waiting for an easy meal. Look for bull rout clinging to the superstructure, their camouflage is excellent. The sheer cold adds to the atmosphere, a crisp bite even through a drysuit, but it also means the preservation is incredible. This site suits experienced divers comfortable with cold water, low visibility, and overhead environments. Go with a local operator who knows the currents; they can be tricky, especially around the exposed sections.