WILHELM HEIDKAMP - Lofoten Islands

Diving the *Wilhelm Heidkamp* is stepping into a dramatic piece of history. This German destroyer, sunk during the First Battle of Narvik in 1940, lies broken in two sections, a testament to the chaos of war. We love exploring the stern section, which is more intact, with its massive gun mounts still pointing skyward, now encrusted with sponges and anemones. The bow section, separated by a rubble field, has a more collapsed feel, but there are still plenty of interesting features to poke around. Visibility can be a real gamble here, typical for the Narvik area, so we always check conditions before committing. When it's clear, the sheer scale of the *Heidkamp* is impressive, stretching out across the seabed at 24 metres. It’s a cold dive, even in summer, so a drysuit is non-negotiable, and thick gloves will make the experience far more comfortable. Ling and cod often hover around the wreck’s superstructure, seemingly unfazed by divers, and we’ve spotted huge king crabs scuttling across the deck plates. This is a wreck for those who appreciate maritime history and don’t mind a bit of a chill; it’s less about vibrant colours and more about the sombre, impressive presence of a sunken warship.

Location

Lofoten Islands, Norway, Mediterranean & Europe

Coordinates

68.420000, 17.398500

Type

wreck

Maximum Depth

24m

Marine Protected Area: Dyngeneset