This dive site is the wreck of the HNoMS Odin, a historical World War II warship sunk on April 9, 1940, by German shells off Narvik, Norway, with only four survivors. Resting upright on the seabed between 36 and 72 meters, it serves as a solemn monument. Divers can explore its well-preserved structure, observing numerous details from its wartime past. Navigation involves careful depth management due to its extreme depth, requiring technical diving skills.
While not primarily a biodiversity hotspot like coral reefs, cold-water wrecks in Norway often attract various marine life. Expect to see cold-water fish species such as cod, pollock, and wrasse, along with an assortment of crustaceans, anemones, and potentially soft corals or sponges encrusting the wreck's structure. The wreck itself forms an artificial reef, providing habitat for local species.
The best time to visit this challenging dive site is typically during the summer months (June to August) when water temperatures are at their warmest (though still cold) and daylight hours are long, potentially offering better surface conditions and visibility. Divers must be technically trained and equipped for deep, cold-water wreck diving, including trimix or other advanced gas mixes, drysuits, and redundant systems. Freediving is not suitable due to the extreme depth. Always dive with experienced guides familiar with the local conditions.
