Diving Altausseer See

Site Overview

Altausseer See is a alpine lake dive site in Styria, Austria, set among the country’s varied freshwater landscapes. Altausseer See is an emerald-green alpine lake in the Styrian Salzkammergut, ringed by steep wooded walls that fall straight into deep water. The submerged rock formations and slabs create a dramatic topography for divers who venture down the slope away from the shore. Cold, clear and oligotrophic, the lake supports char and trout and a scattering of smaller fish over the rocky bottom. Depth comes quickly here, so the lake suits divers comfortable with deeper profiles and cold-water discipline. A drysuit and good thermal layering are recommended because only the surface warms, while below the thermocline it stays a constant few degrees. It is a quieter, more contemplative alternative to the busier Salzkammergut lakes just over the ridge. Conditions are typical of Austrian inland water: visibility generally runs from 8 to 20 metres, the current is low and the water temperature ranges between 4 and 19 degrees Celsius depending on season and depth. The marine life is freshwater and centred on lake trout (brown trout), arctic char, grayling, with the full community described below for those planning a dive. Because of its intermediate rating and the need for Advanced Open Water certification, Altausseer See is best approached with the right thermal protection and, where relevant, altitude or overhead training. It is a representative example of why Austrian lake diving, with its cold clarity, submerged forests and wrecks, attracts divers who want something different from tropical reefs.