Diving Wolfgangsee (St. Gilgen Shore)

Site Overview

Wolfgangsee (St. Gilgen Shore) is a alpine lake dive site in Salzburg, Austria, set among the country’s varied freshwater landscapes. The St. Gilgen shore gives Salzburg-state access to the Wolfgangsee, the same clear alpine lake as the famous Salzkammergut side. The water is crystal-clear with submerged trees and the beginning of the Falkenstein wall dropping into the depths. It is often calmer and more sheltered than the busier eastern shore, with easy Salzburg-region logistics. Depth comes quickly at the drop-offs, so a drysuit and good buoyancy 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 reached from the pretty village of St. Gilgen. 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 (St. Gilgen Shore) 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.