ANNA PETERS

Best months: Jul–Aug

Why dive here

With 121+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, orcas and seals & sea lions - ANNA PETERS offers some of West Coast (Gothenburg)'s richest wreck diving. Water ranges 3-18°C, warmest July, August, September.

Best timeJul–Aug

WetsuitA 5mm wetsuit

Marine lifeDolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales, Orcas and Seals & Sea Lions · 121+ species recorded

Water3-18°C · warmest July, August, September

CharacterWreck dive · max 2m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

Okay, let's talk about the Anna Peters. When someone says "Swedish diving," your mind probably goes to cold, dark, deep wrecks. And yes, there are plenty. But the Anna Peters? This is something altogether different, and we absolutely love it for that. Picture this: a minelayer, sunk in 1944, lying in just two metres of water. We're talking wading depth here. What you get is an experience closer to snorkelling a wreck than a traditional dive, though a tank helps you properly explore. The light penetration is incredible, painting the wreck in shifting greens and blues, unlike the gloom of deeper sites. Visibility here is usually pretty good, making the details of the hull, the exposed ribs, and scattered debris really pop. Schools of small fish dart in and out of the metalwork, and we often spot crabs scuttling amongst the growth on the deck plates. It's a fantastic spot for photographers looking for something a bit unique, or for newer divers to get a feel for wreck exploration without the usual depth and current concerns. Our top tip? Go on a sunny day. The way the light plays on the wreck is genuinely mesmerising.

Typical ANNA PETERS 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 13°C). Drysuit or thick wetsuit (7mm+) recommended.

Today06:4317:2810h 45m daylightGolden hour 16:35

ANNA PETERS Wreck History

Year Sunk

1944

Vessel Type

warship

Cause

grounding

The ANNA PETERS was a German minelayer operating during the height of World War II. Like many vessels in the German Kriegsmarine, it was likely a requisitioned civilian ship, pressed into military service to control the strategic waterways of the Skagerrak. Its mission was perilous, involving navigating treacherous, often mined, coastal waters under the constant threat of Allied attack.

On November 11, 1944, during a mission along the west coast of Sweden near Gothenburg, the ANNA PETERS's luck ran out. Whether due to navigational error, bad weather, or mechanical failure, the vessel ran hard aground. The damage was severe, and with the unforgiving sea pounding against its hull, the ship was declared a total loss. Its proximity to the coast meant there was no deep water for it to sink into; its grave would be the very shoreline it failed to navigate.

Resting in a mere 2 meters of water, the ANNA PETERS is less of a scuba dive and more of a site for snorkelers, freedivers, and historical explorers. The wreck has been relentlessly battered by decades of storms and ice, leaving it heavily broken and scattered. What remains are the skeletal fragments of a WWII warship, a tangible and accessible piece of history. Exploring the rusted metal plates and machinery offers a poignant reminder of the conflict that reached even these neutral shores.