Diving Styria | Green Lake, Altaussee & Grundlsee

About Styria

Styria, the green heart of Austria, pairs the country’s most famous - and most protected - underwater meadow with a string of beautiful alpine and recreational lakes. Grüner See is world-renowned for the spring snowmelt that floods a mountain park into a surreal underwater meadow of benches, bridges and paths; diving has been banned since 2016 to protect this fragile habitat, with only rare scientific exceptions, making it a powerful case study in dive-site conservation. Elsewhere, the Styrian Salzkammergut lakes of Altausseer See and Grundlsee offer emerald water, steep walls and char and trout, while Stubenbergsee, Putterersee and the Pack Reservoir provide warm, easy and atmospheric dives. Styria is a region of contrasts: strictly protected wonders sit alongside relaxed lakes where beginners and macrophotographers can spend hours. The surrounding vineyards, spa towns and the city of Graz add a rich topside experience.

Highlights

• ✓Grüner See: the legendary seasonal flooded park (diving banned since 2016 to protect it)
• ✓Altausseer See: emerald alpine lake with steep walls and char
• ✓Grundlsee: clear up to 60 m with underwater cliffs and abundant fish
• ✓Putterersee and Stubenbergsee: warm, easy lakes ideal for beginners and night dives
• ✓Pack Reservoir: a mountain-altitude lake with sunken farm structures and macro life

Getting There

Fly into Graz Airport (GRZ) or Vienna (VIE) and drive into the Styrian lake districts and the Salzkammergut fringe. The altitudinal lakes need a car; the recreational lakes such as Stubenbergsee and Putterersee are easily reached by regional road and have ample parking.