Wreck
down to 21 m
Empire Broadsword
Empire Broadsword, broken in two at 21 m off Omaha; the fiche suggests stern, then midships, then bow, time permitting.
- Advanced
Normandy D-Day wrecks
Diving in France
10 documented dive sites. Known for crustaceans.
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- Levels
- Advanced, Experienced
- Nearest airport
- CFR
When to go
Pick a month: the diving season, from published sources, and the typical weather.
Pick a month
- Best
- Good
- Possible
- Closed
- Not documented yet
Normandy D-Day wrecks in October
Good season- Sea
- 17 °C
- at the surface
- Air
- 17 °C
- 11 °C at night
- Rain
- 90 mm
- one of the wettest months
- Wind
- 16 km/h
- on average
Exposure suit: 5 mm full suit · if you feel the cold: 7 mm full suit or 8/7 mm semi-dry. How we choose
Typical weather, not a forecast: averages for 2021–2025 (air, rain, wind) and 2023–2025 (sea), data from Open-Meteo (ERA5 / Copernicus, Météo-France). Covers an area of roughly 10 to 25 km around the destination.
The local wreck club dives all year at weekends, and on weekdays in July and August; the best period is June–September. Spring is more unpredictable, and winter diving is for experienced locals in drysuits.
Dive sites in Normandy D-Day wrecks
From the easiest to the most demanding. Levels with a dashed outline are estimates we are still verifying.
Depths on the official wreck sheets are chart depths: the real depth is greater, depending on the tide. The official diver code: do not enter the wrecks, do not remove objects or fragments, and report any dangerous explosives to CROSS Jobourg (VHF 16 or phone 196). The structures may collapse at any time.
For Advanced divers
usual dive down to 30 m8 sitesFor experienced divers
usual dive down to 40 m2 sitesMarine life
When the big encounters happen, month by month.
Reported here, season not documented yet:
- Crustaceans
- Conger eel
- Seahorses
Where is Normandy D-Day wrecks?
- Nearest airport
- CFR
Normandy D-Day wrecks: frequently asked questions
- When is the best time to dive Normandy D-Day wrecks?
- The best months to dive Normandy D-Day wrecks are Jun–Sep. The local wreck club dives all year at weekends, and on weekdays in July and August; the best period is June–September. Spring is more unpredictable, and winter diving is for experienced locals in drysuits.
- Is Normandy D-Day wrecks good for beginner divers?
- Not really: none of the 10 dive sites we document is rated for Open Water divers. Plan an Advanced certification and some experience first.
- What marine life can you see in Normandy D-Day wrecks?
- Divers regularly see crustaceans and conger eel.
- How do you dive Normandy D-Day wrecks?
- The nearest airport is CFR.
About this page
Seasons and marine life come from the sources below. Site levels and depths marked as estimated come from our original catalogue and are being checked one by one. Conditions change: always confirm with a local dive centre.
Your next dive is somewhere out there.
Find my next dive tripPhoto credits
- Sunlight and bubbles in deep blue water, Sarah Lee, Unsplash License, on Unsplash