ACHILLES

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Rødholman

Why dive here

ACHILLES is a wreck dive in Stavanger & Rogaland, Norway. Water ranges 4-17°C, warmest July, August, September.

Best timeJul–Sep

WetsuitA 7mm wetsuit with a hood

Water4-17°C · warmest July, August, September

CharacterWreck dive · max 10m

We’re always on the lookout for a wreck with a story, and Achilles delivers. This old steamship, sunk in 1917, rests in a surprisingly accessible 10 meters, making it a great dive for many experience levels. The ship is broken, but you can still make out a lot of its structure – the bow, the stern, and parts of the engine room are all there to explore. We love picking our way through the scattered plates, imagining the chaos of its sinking. The real magic here is how marine life has absolutely taken over. Crabs scuttle in every crevice, wolf fish lurk in shadowed corners, and the hull is thick with anemones that sway gently in the surge. Visibility can be a bit variable, typical for the area, so we always try to hit it on an incoming tide for the best chance at a clear view. Keep an eye out for the smaller stuff; the amount of nudibranchs we’ve found here sometimes feels endless. It’s a proper atmospheric dive, a glimpse into history that’s now a vibrant home for ocean creatures.

Typical ACHILLES Dive Profile

Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

Safety Notes

Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.

Cold water this month (avg 14°C). Drysuit or thick wetsuit (7mm+) recommended.

Today06:0016:4210h 42m daylightGolden hour 15:47

ACHILLES Wreck History

Vessel Type

cargo ship

Cause

unknown

The history of the steamship Achilles, located near Stavanger, is shrouded in mystery. With no readily available records of her sinking, the wreck itself is the only storyteller. Based on her classification as a steamship, she was likely a coastal cargo vessel or trader from the early to mid-20th century, a workhorse of her time that met an unrecorded end in the Norwegian fjords.

This wreck is a fantastic dive for those new to wreck exploration. Lying in just 10 meters of water, the site is bathed in natural light on clear days, creating excellent conditions for photography. The 'Dangerous' classification suggests the hull has collapsed, creating sharp edges and potential overhead environments, so good buoyancy and awareness are key. Divers can explore the scattered remains of the hull and machinery, which have transformed into a bustling artificial reef for the crabs, lobsters, and colorful wrasse that call this piece of forgotten history home.