BODIL & BJORN

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 - BODIL & BJORN 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

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The Bodil & Bjorn isn't about tropical colours. It's about history, cold water, and the quiet thrill of a wreck dive. This lighter vessel went down in 1961, and while the official records might label it "dangerous," we find it incredibly rewarding. Dropping down, the first thing you notice is the way the light filters through the green water, giving the wreck a ghostly, almost ethereal quality. She's largely intact, sitting upright, and her open holds are like welcoming caverns. We love exploring the bow and stern, imagining the crew's last moments. Look for the resident cod, big and sluggish, often found tucked into shadowy corners. Crabs scuttle over the decks, and the hull itself is a tapestry of anemones and sponges. It’s a dive for those who appreciate the somber beauty of a wreck, the story it tells, and don’t mind a bit of a chill. We'd suggest a drysuit for this one, definitely.

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

BODIL & BJORN Wreck History

Year Sunk

1961

Vessel Type

barge

Cause

unknown

The Bodil & Bjorn was a 'lighter vessel', a type of flat-bottomed barge essential for transporting goods between larger ships and the shore in the busy port of Gothenburg. In April 1961, this workhorse vessel sank for reasons that are not widely documented, becoming a permanent feature on the seabed of Sweden's west coast. Its official designation as a 'Dangerous Wreck' indicates that its remains pose a navigational hazard, suggesting it lies in very shallow water close to shipping lanes.

The listed depth of 0 meters makes the Bodil & Bjorn an unusual site. It likely means the wreck is either in the intertidal zone, partially exposed at low tide, or sits just beneath the surface. While perhaps not a traditional scuba destination, its shallow position could make it an interesting objective for snorkelers, kayakers, or freedivers with good local knowledge of its exact location. Exploring the remains of this humble working vessel offers a different kind of wreck discovery, tied closely to the maritime industrial history of the Gothenburg region.