beginner
    (55)

    Diving Alter Strom

    8m Max
    3-11m Vis
    shore

    Site Overview

    Alter Strom is a training and reef dive site in Baltic Sea – Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany, reached from the base town of Warnemünde. Alter Strom is a sheltered canal in Warnemünde used for training and gentle shore dives, with mussel beds and small fish around the walls. It is a convenient, accessible site close to the resort’s amenities. The site reaches a maximum depth of 8 m with an average profile around 5 m and a shallow start near 1 m, which places it firmly in the beginner category and means divers should hold at least an Open Water certification. Conditions are typical of the Baltic Sea environment: visibility generally runs from 3 to 11 metres, the current is weak, and the water temperature ranges between 6 and 20 degrees Celsius with low surge exposure. The marine community is centred on European Plaice, Common Cuttlefish, Nudibranchs (Flabellina spp.), Spider Crab, Moon Jellyfish, Eelgrass, and the full species list is detailed below for divers planning a trip. The combination of artificial, canal topography and sand and concrete substrate gives Alter Strom its distinctive character within the Baltic Sea – Mecklenburg-Vorpommern region. Alter Strom is a strong representative of why German diving is so highly regarded, blending the geology, history and biodiversity that define the country's underwater exploration. It pairs naturally with the other sites of the Baltic Sea – Mecklenburg-Vorpommern region for a varied holiday, and with the right thermal protection and, where relevant, the correct specialist training, it offers a memorable dive for photographers, naturalists and wreck, reef or freshwater enthusiasts alike. As with every German dive, a drysuit and a careful respect for cold-water limits turn a good day into a great one.

    Dive Briefing

    "Entry is made by a shore entry near Warnemünde, and divers should check in with a local centre in Warnemünde before entering the water. Alter Strom is a sheltered canal in Warnemünde used for training and gentle shore dives, with mussel beds and small fish around the walls. It is a convenient, accessible site close to the resort’s amenities. Plan your profile around a maximum depth of 8 m and an average of 5 m, keeping a close eye on gas and, in the deeper or enclosed sections, on the low surge. Buoyancy control matters here: the sand and concrete bottom and submerged structures are easily disturbed, and Very shallow, Cold water, Boat traffic are real considerations throughout the dive. The training and reef topography offers artificial, canal, and the marine life centres on European Plaice, Common Cuttlefish, Nudibranchs (Flabellina spp.), Spider Crab, Moon Jellyfish, Eelgrass alongside the other species listed for the site. Take a moment to review the site-specific hazards with your guide, because conditions at Alter Strom can shift with wind and tide and change the feel of the dive. A safe ascent with a surface marker buoy and a clear exit plan completes the dive, with emergency cover routed through Druckkammerzentrum, Klinikum Südstadt Rostock."

    Signature Marine Life

    European Plaice

    high

    Pleuronectes platessa

    Best: May, June, July

    Common Cuttlefish

    high

    Sepia officinalis

    Best: May, June, July

    Nudibranchs (Flabellina spp.)

    high

    Flabellina spp.

    Best: May, June, July

    Spider Crab

    high

    Maja squinado

    Best: May, June, July

    Moon Jellyfish

    high

    Aurelia aurita

    Best: May, June, July

    Eelgrass

    high

    Zostera marina

    Best: May, June, July

    Safety & Hazards

    • Very shallow
    • Cold water
    • Boat traffic
    • Variable visibility
    • Training-site traffic
    Nearest Chamber
    Druckkammerzentrum, Klinikum Südstadt Rostock
    30km away

    Traveler Notes

    Who is this for?

    Alter Strom suits beginner divers holding at least an Open Water certification, and it is a strong choice for those who enjoy the Baltic Sea water of Germany. Photographers, training groups and divers chasing training, reef, beginner will all find something here, provided they respect the temperature, local access rules and the limits of each site. It is less suitable for absolute novices unless booked through a centre running a supervised course, and the deepest or most enclosed sections should only be attempted with the correct specialist training and a guide. Planning a dive here with a licensed German operator not only keeps you safe but also helps protect the fragile reefs, wrecks and freshwater habitats that make the site special for the next visitor.

    training
    reef
    beginner

    For Non-Divers

    Alter Strom promenade; Warnemünde lighthouse

    Quick Stats

    Difficultybeginner
    CertificationOpen Water
    Currentweak
    Water Temp6-20°C
    Best TimeMay - September

    Dive Logistics

    Operators
    • Tauchcenter Fehmarn
    • Ostsee-Tauchschule Kiel
    • Submaris Heiligenhafen
    • ATUSC Eckernförde
    • Flensburg Dive Base
    Pricing Guide
    $50 - $95
    Per 2-tank boat dive

    Photography Info

    Recommended Gear
    60mm

    Best for: macro

    Nearby Stay

    Hotel am See Warnemünde

    Warnemünde2km away

    Check Availability

    Pension Warnemünde

    Warnemünde3km away

    Check Availability