Diving the Hiddensee Wrecks

Site Overview

Hiddensee Wrecks is a wreck and reef dive site in Baltic Sea – Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany, reached from the base town of Stralsund. The waters around the car-free island of Hiddensee hold a scatter of small wrecks and debris from centuries of Baltic trade, now colonised by cod and conger. The island’s protected status keeps the water clear and the biomass healthy. The site reaches a maximum depth of 20 m with an average profile around 13 m and a shallow start near 5 m, which places it firmly in the intermediate category and means divers should hold at least an Advanced Open Water certification. Conditions are typical of the Baltic Sea environment: visibility generally runs from 4 to 13 metres, the current is moderate, and the water temperature ranges between 6 and 18 degrees Celsius with low surge exposure. The marine community is centred on Atlantic Cod, European Plaice, Conger Eel, Common Cuttlefish, Nudibranchs (Flabellina spp.), Small-spotted Catshark, and the full species list is detailed below for divers planning a trip. The combination of wreck, reef topography and sand and wood substrate gives Hiddensee Wrecks its distinctive character within the Baltic Sea – Mecklenburg-Vorpommern region. Hiddensee Wrecks is a strong representative of why German diving is so highly regarded, blending the geology, history and biodiversity that define the country's underwater exploration. It pairs naturally with the other sites of the Baltic Sea – Mecklenburg-Vorpommern region for a varied holiday, and with the right thermal protection and, where relevant, the correct specialist training, it offers a memorable dive for photographers, naturalists and wreck, reef or freshwater enthusiasts alike. As with every German dive, a drysuit and a careful respect for cold-water limits turn a good day into a great one.