ANNA PETERS - West Coast (Gothenburg)

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.

Location
West Coast (Gothenburg), Sweden, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
57.272835, 10.552167
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
2m

Wreck History - ANNA PETERS

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.

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 ANNA PETERS

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 ANNA PETERS

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