Marine life
Germany covers more than 350,000 square kilometers of Central Europe. It is a great European economic and political force with more than 80 million inhabitants. Citizens and tourists visiting this country benefit from good infrastructure. Germany is a country rooted in history. This land has been inhabited for hundreds of thousands of years and has been the cradle of some of the greatest minds in the history of mankind. There is a lot to do, such as exploring many modern cities, attending the biggest festival in the world, Oktoberfest, etc. What comes out is, that, no matter where you are or what you do, there is probably an underwater adventure nearby. With the exception of the shipwrecks of the Baltic Sea, most of dives are done in freshwater, many of them at altitude in a breathtaking environment. For those of you that are World War II buffs, you have found your favorite place. There have been many shipwrecks in Germany. Some of the most amazing wrecks are the Helland and the Hanau, located in the Baltic Sea. Many dive sites are quarries and lakes. In addition, Bodensee, or Lake Constance, is an unreal alpine lake that should not be missed. This is the third largest lake in Central Europe, so you can imagine the possibilities of diving in this incredible place.
Where to dive in Germany? The best diving destinations
The Helland
This large steel yacht, about 18 meters in length, is one of the many wrecks of the Baltic Sea. Due to its shallow depth and the fact that it is easily accessible from Kiel by rigid hull inflatable boats, the Helland is a must for all divers visiting the area.
Kreidesee
Located near Warstade, this large 33-hectare lake allows diving up to 60 meters deep. Part of a 117-year-old flooded quarry that was used to excavate and process lime from 1862 to 1976. When the mill closed, the quarry filled with underground water. There are also various wrecks and even a Piper PA-28, previously owned by American astronaut Alan Shepard. The water is crystal clear and divers regularly encounter trout and salmon. The diving conditions cold + depth require training and appropriate equipment.
Sundhäuser See
This lake has its own sunken city, with a church, a wreck and even an underwater cemetery. The only visitors are divers and fish swimming in the deserted streets. Visibility is generally good making diving very accessible to novice divers.
Walchensee
One of the largest alpine lakes in Germany, Walchensee is located 800 meters above sea level in the Bavarian Alps and the bottom reaches 180 meters deep. Rock formations and light shows make it an enchanting dive. This diving in cold water and at altitude requires adequate training.
Bodensee Lake Constance
Located 395 meters above sea level in the Alps on the border of Germany, Austria and Switzerland, it is the third largest lake in Central Europe. Its magnificent landscapes make it an excellent destination for divers. It has three distinct zones: Obersee Upper Lake, Untersee Lower Lake and Seerhein Rhine River Linkage Section. It is a huge body of water more than 60 kilometers long by 36 miles and nearly 14 kilometers wide. In some places, it also reaches a maximum depth of over 250 meters. You can choose from diving on drop-offs, diving for wrecks and even drift diving. Many dive sites are easily accessible from the shore. The spectacular alpine landscape continues underwater with steep drops that plunge well beyond the recreational depths. Char, pike, turbot and other species of freshwater fish can join your underwater excursion.
Kulkwitzer See
In this lake near Leipzig, you will find camping trails, water skiing, sailing and hiking to pass the time between your dives. With a maximum depth of 32 meters, the lake allows all divers to enjoy this magical place. The average visibility is 10 to 20 meters and access to the shore is easy. Pike and perch are regular diving companions, with freshwater eels and crayfish coming out at night.
When to dive in Germany?
Weather conditions vary considerably by location and altitude, so it is best to verify with the locals. In general, Germany has cold winters and comfortable summers. Diving conditions in the Baltic vary with water temperatures ranging from a minimum of 2 ° C in March to 20 ° C during the summer. The temperature in alpine lakes can reach 15 ° C in summer and drop sharply under the thermocline. In addition, these lakes freeze during the winter to make it possible to dive under ice.
What to see when scuba diving
In the Baltic you can see saltwater fish. In freshwater, one can encounter an astonishing variety of species. Pike, trout, carp, perch, bream, lake mullet and turbot all fly around the underwater vegetation. Pike, perch, sturgeon, eels and crayfish can even be found in freshwater.
