HMS GENTIAN - Baltic Coast

The HMS Gentian, a sloop sunk by a mine in 1919, is one of those wrecks we keep coming back to off the Baltic Coast. She sits upright at 50 metres, and the depth means it’s a site best suited for experienced technical divers. We love the sheer scale of her – 81 metres long, stretching out into the gloom. Dropping down, the bow comes into view first, rising out of the seabed like a dark island. You can still see the mounts for her two 4.7-inch guns, even though the guns themselves are gone. Penetration is possible, though we’d always recommend proper training and equipment; the engine room, with its triple-expansion engines, is a particularly atmospheric dive, the machinery still largely intact. Schools of cod often patrol the deck, and you’ll spot lumpsuckers clinging to the superstructure. The visibility here can be excellent, particularly outside of summer, making the sheer size of the Gentian truly impressive as she slowly reveals herself on descent. It’s a proper piece of history, just waiting to be explored.

Location
Baltic Coast, Sweden, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
58.583332, 21.645834
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
50m

Best Time to Dive in Baltic Coast

The warmest water temperatures in Baltic Coast occur in January, averaging 0.6°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 0.6°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 0.6°C (air: -0.4°C)
  • February: 0.6°C (air: -0.3°C)
  • March: 0.6°C (air: 1.7°C)
  • April: 0.6°C (air: 4.6°C)
  • May: 0.6°C (air: 10.5°C)
  • June: 0.6°C (air: 17.2°C)
  • July: 0.6°C (air: 17.8°C)
  • August: 0.6°C (air: 17.3°C)
  • September: 0.6°C (air: 13.2°C)
  • October: 0.6°C (air: 8.5°C)
  • November: 0.6°C (air: 3.8°C)
  • December: 0.6°C (air: -0.5°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Baltic Coast

Nearest Dive Centres to HMS GENTIAN

Marine Life in Baltic Coast

Home to 59 recorded species including 31 reef fish, 9 seagrass & algae, 5 sea snails & nudibranchs, 4 other, 3 whales & dolphins, 3 sharks & rays.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for HMS GENTIAN

Based on average water temperature of 0.6°C.

  • Drysuit - water at 1°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

Frequently Asked Questions

How deep is the HMS Gentian wreck dive?
The HMS Gentian wreck dive reaches a depth of 50 meters. This depth classifies it as a technical or advanced recreational dive, requiring appropriate training and experience.
What can divers expect to see on the HMS Gentian wreck?
Divers exploring the HMS Gentian wreck can expect to see the impressive remains of a sloop vessel, built in 1915. The wreck, measuring 81.7m x 10.4m, still features its triple expansion engines, two 4.7in guns, and two 3pdr guns. It offers a unique historical dive experience, classified as a non-dangerous wreck.
What is the difficulty level of diving the HMS Gentian wreck?
Diving the HMS Gentian wreck is rated as an intermediate difficulty dive. This indicates that divers should possess a solid foundation of experience and potentially advanced certifications to safely explore this site.
What is the best time of year to dive the HMS Gentian for optimal conditions?
Unfortunately, the provided data does not specify the best time of year to dive the HMS Gentian for optimal conditions. For general guidance on seasonal diving, you might consult our When to Dive section.
What diving certifications are required to explore the HMS Gentian wreck?
Although specific certifications are not explicitly stated, exploring the HMS Gentian wreck, with its intermediate difficulty and 50-meter depth, generally requires advanced diving certifications. Divers should ideally hold deep diver and potentially wreck diver specialty certifications to safely and responsibly undertake this dive.
What are the typical currents and visibility like at the HMS Gentian dive site?
The available data does not provide specific details on the typical currents or visibility at the HMS Gentian dive site. It is always recommended to check with local dive centers or guides for up-to-date conditions before planning your dive.