Diving Millstätter See

Site Overview

Millstätter See is a alpine lake dive site in Carinthia, Austria, set among the country’s varied freshwater landscapes. Millstätter See is a deep, very clear Carinthian lake with steep walls such as the Millstätter Wand and Seeboden. Giant pike and large trout patrol the depths, and the clarity makes for strong wide-angle photography. A small sunken chapel and a dive platform add human and training interest to the natural walls. Cold below the thermocline means a drysuit is advised for proper dives despite the southern warmth. The depth comes quickly at the walls, so buoyancy and gas planning matter. It is a quieter, more contemplative alternative to the busy Wörthersee. Conditions are typical of Austrian inland water: visibility generally runs from 10 to 25 metres, the current is low and the water temperature ranges between 5 and 24 degrees Celsius depending on season and depth. The marine life is freshwater and centred on northern pike, lake trout (brown trout), european perch, with the full community described below for those planning a dive. Because of its advanced rating and the need for Advanced Open Water certification, Millstätter 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.