St. Nikulás | Reykjanes Wreck & Artificial Reef
Site Overview
Off St. Nikulás on the Reykjanes Peninsula lies a cluster of small wrecks scuttled as artificial reefs, including several fishing vessels and a US Navy landing craft at 15 to 30 metres. These structures have become thriving habitats, home to large cod, Atlantic wolffish and a wealth of macro life, with anemones and nudibranchs covering the hulls. The site is a satisfying intermediate wreck dive for drysuit divers, offering history and life without the depth of Iceland’s big wrecks like El Grillo. A short boat ride from the peninsula harbours puts you on the wrecks, and mild current and swell are the main considerations. For divers who want a taste of Icelandic wreck diving close to Reykjavik and the airport, the St. Nikulás reefs are an accessible, fishy and photogenic option with a guide. The site is a rewarding but demanding cold-water dive that rewards preparation, good buoyancy and respect for the Icelandic environment. The site is a rewarding but demanding cold-water dive that rewards preparation, good buoyancy and respect for the Icelandic environment. The site is a rewarding but demanding cold-water dive that rewards preparation, good buoyancy and respect for the Icelandic environment. The site is a rewarding but demanding cold-water dive that rewards preparation, good buoyancy and respect for the Icelandic environment.
Dive Briefing
"Meet your operator at the Reykjanes or Sandgerði harbour and kit up on the boat. The short ride reaches the wreck cluster; descend to the nearest hull and orbit it, watching for wolffish in the structure and cod around the beams. Anemones and nudibranchs coat the metal, so a slow tour with a macro eye is rewarding. There is a mild current, so swim into it on the way out. Only trained technical divers should enter the wrecks; everyone else stays on the outside. Water is 4 to 11°C, so monitor warmth. Complete a safety stop and signal the boat for pickup. The operator times the dive to the calmest window and marks the wrecks. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and ascend with a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and ascend with a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and ascend with a safety stop before exiting at the designated point."
Signature Marine Life
Atlantic wolffish
Anarhichas lupus
Best: Year-round
Cod
Gadus morhua
Best: May, June, July
Catfish (wolffish)
Anarhichas lupus
Best: Year-round
Nudibranchs
Nudibranchia
Best: May, June, July
Plumose anemone
Metridium senile
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Cold water needs drysuit
- Mild current and swell on shallow wrecks
- Entanglement risk in wreck structure
- Boat traffic in the area
- Limited visibility around the hulls
- Penetration needs tech training
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
The St. Nikulás wrecks suit intermediate to advanced drysuit divers who enjoy wreck and reef life without deep technical demands. They are great for photography, macro and fish encounters, and for divers wanting a first Icelandic wreck close to the capital. Penetration is for trained tech divers only; others tour the exteriors safely. It is less dramatic than El Grillo but more accessible, and a guide makes the shallow, current-prone site comfortable and productive. It suits confident cold-water divers who value unique geology and pristine conditions over abundant tropical marine life.
Quick Stats
Dive Logistics
- Reykjanes Dive
- Dive Iceland
Photography Info
Best for: wide_angle, macro
Nearby Stay
Northern Light Inn
Grindavík • 20km away
Hotel Keflavik
Keflavik • 15km away