BODIL & BJORN - West Coast (Gothenburg)

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.

Location
West Coast (Gothenburg), Sweden, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
57.236168, 10.552167
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
0m

Wreck History - BODIL & BJORN

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.

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 BODIL & BJORN

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 BODIL & BJORN

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