ALTRES - West Coast (Gothenburg)

The Altres wreck, just off Gothenburg, might not have the colourful reefs of the tropics, but it’s got a real story to tell. We love this site for its character. She sits upright at 34 metres, a trawler that sank in 1968 after a collision. You descend onto the deck, usually met by a few curious cod darting from the wheelhouse. The stern is our favourite part, with the propeller still intact and often shrouded in the glassy bloom of compass jellyfish during the summer months. Visibility here can swing dramatically, from a glorious 15 metres to a murky 3, so picking your day is key. We’d suggest a calm morning, ideally after a few days without strong winds. You can penetrate the wheelhouse and engine room if you’re comfortable with overhead environments, but even just exploring the deck offers plenty of atmosphere. It’s a proper wreck dive for those who appreciate history and don't mind a bit of a chill.

Location
West Coast (Gothenburg), Sweden, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
56.766884, 11.998567
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
34m

Wreck History - ALTRES

Year Sunk
1944
Vessel Type
warship
Cause
unknown
Tonnage
419 GRT

The wreck known as the Altress is the former German Vorpostenboot V-1605, a converted fishing trawler pressed into military service with the Kriegsmarine during World War II. These patrol boats were the workhorses of coastal defense, tasked with escorting convoys, hunting for submarines, and sweeping for mines. Stationed off the coast of occupied Norway and Denmark, the V-1605 Altress was a constant target for Allied forces seeking to disrupt German shipping lanes in the Skagerrak strait.

On September 21, 1944, the Altress met its end during an attack by de Havilland Mosquito fighter-bombers of the Royal Air Force. Struck by rockets and cannon fire, the vessel sank and now rests at a depth of 34 meters off the west coast of Sweden. The wreck is a favorite among local divers from Gothenburg, but its 'Dangerous' classification is a warning: its depth, potential for entanglement in fishing nets, and the challenging conditions of the North Sea require experienced divers. Those who make the descent are rewarded with the sight of a well-preserved WWII patrol boat, complete with its deck gun, offering a somber reminder of the conflict that once raged in these waters.

Marine Protected Area: Stora Middelgrund och Röde bank

Best Time to Dive in West Coast (Gothenburg)

The warmest water temperatures in West Coast (Gothenburg) occur in January, averaging 1.9°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 1.9°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 1.9°C (air: 1.7°C)
  • February: 1.9°C (air: 1.9°C)
  • March: 1.9°C (air: 3.2°C)
  • April: 1.9°C (air: 6.3°C)
  • May: 1.9°C (air: 11.7°C)
  • June: 1.9°C (air: 16.3°C)
  • July: 1.9°C (air: 16.8°C)
  • August: 1.9°C (air: 16.8°C)
  • September: 1.9°C (air: 14.3°C)
  • October: 1.9°C (air: 10.0°C)
  • November: 1.9°C (air: 5.6°C)
  • December: 1.9°C (air: 1.3°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in West Coast (Gothenburg)

Nearest Dive Centres to ALTRES

Marine Life in West Coast (Gothenburg)

Home to 134 recorded species including 70 reef fish, 10 other, 9 whales & dolphins, 8 seagrass & algae, 8 clams & mussels, 7 sharks & rays.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for ALTRES

Based on average water temperature of 1.9°C.

  • Drysuit - water at 2°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