Diving Fuschlsee

Site Overview

Fuschlsee is a alpine lake dive site in Upper Austria – Salzkammergut, Austria, set among the country’s varied freshwater landscapes. Fuschlsee is a small, extremely clear alpine lake between the Salzkammergut and Salzburg, a macro paradise prized for its water quality. Freshwater sponges, bryozoans and crayfish cover the clean rocks, making it one of the best macro lakes in Austria. It lies at altitude, so diving here uses altitude procedures, but the shallow shelves are friendly for training. The clarity and clean substrate give superb wide-angle and macro photography in a compact, accessible basin. A drysuit is recommended below the thermocline, though summer shallows can be dived in a thick wetsuit. It is a quiet, high-quality lake that rewards slow, observant diving. Conditions are typical of Austrian inland water: visibility generally runs from 10 to 24 metres, the current is low and the water temperature ranges between 4 and 21 degrees Celsius depending on season and depth. The marine life is freshwater and centred on noble crayfish, freshwater sponge, bryozoan, with the full community described below for those planning a dive. Because of its beginner rating and the need for Open Water certification, Fuschlsee 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.