Diving Wolfgangsee

Site Overview

Wolfgangsee is a alpine lake dive site in Upper Austria – Salzkammergut, Austria, set among the country’s varied freshwater landscapes. Wolfgangsee is a picturesque alpine lake beneath the Schafberg, famous for the sheer Falkensteinwand wall and the St. Wolfgang drop-off. Crystal-clear water and submerged trees make for atmospheric dives, and the setting is among the prettiest in the Salzkammergut. Night dives off St. Wolfgang with lights are a local highlight, turning the clear water into a glittering, fish-filled scene. Depth comes quickly at the drop-offs, so buoyancy and a drysuit are important for comfortable diving. Perch and the occasional pike use the walls, and the submerged timber adds structure and interest. It is a photogenic, intermediate-to-advanced lake that rewards divers who plan for cold and depth. Conditions are typical of Austrian inland water: visibility generally runs from 10 to 22 metres, the current is low and the water temperature ranges between 4 and 20 degrees Celsius depending on season and depth. The marine life is freshwater and centred on european perch, northern pike, lake trout (brown trout), with the full community described below for those planning a dive. Because of its intermediate rating and the need for Advanced Open Water certification, Wolfgangsee 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.