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Wreck of Blücher

We’ll be honest, when most people think “Sweden” they aren’t thinking “epic wreck diving”. But they should be, and the Blücher is a prime example of why. This isn’t some broken-up hull. She’s a 200-metre cruiser, a German warship that met her end in 1940, and what we love is just how much of her is still there, upright, and largely intact. Dropping down, you hit the bow first, then the huge gun turrets loom out of the murk. Visibility can be a challenge – this is the North Sea, after all – but when it’s good, the sheer scale of the ship is staggering. Exploring the Blücher is a journey through history, with ammunition, equipment, and even some personal effects still scattered around. The torpedo room is a favourite spot, or exploring the bridge area, imagining what it must have been like. Marine life has well and truly moved in; we’ve seen big shoals of pollock and saithe swirling around the superstructure, and the deck plates are thick with mussels. Our top tip: go in late summer or early autumn for the best chance of settled weather and clearer water, though even then, be prepared for a proper deep, dark dive. It’s definitely one for experienced wreck divers who appreciate a genuinely significant piece of history.