Diving Wallersee

Site Overview

Wallersee is a recreational lake dive site in Salzburg, Austria, set among the country’s varied freshwater landscapes. Wallersee is a warm, shallow lake north of Salzburg, a relaxed recreational and training water that is easy for beginners. Large carp, tench and pike cruise the weed beds, and the clear shallows are good for macro and photography practice. Easy shore entries and a friendly lakeside setting make it a popular place for courses and family dives. It warms up nicely in summer, so a wetsuit is usually enough for a single shallow dive. The lake is a gentle, forgiving contrast to the cold high-alpine reservoirs elsewhere in the state. It suits divers who want a low-pressure, warm-water freshwater experience. Conditions are typical of Austrian inland water: visibility generally runs from 4 to 12 metres, the current is low and the water temperature ranges between 6 and 24 degrees Celsius depending on season and depth. The marine life is freshwater and centred on common carp, tench, northern pike, with the full community described below for those planning a dive. Because of its beginner rating and the need for Open Water certification, Wallersee 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.