Diving Alter Strom
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
Pleuronectes platessa
Best: May, June, July
Common Cuttlefish
Sepia officinalis
Best: May, June, July
Nudibranchs (Flabellina spp.)
Flabellina spp.
Best: May, June, July
Spider Crab
Maja squinado
Best: May, June, July
Moon Jellyfish
Aurelia aurita
Best: May, June, July
Eelgrass
Zostera marina
Best: May, June, July
Safety & Hazards
- Very shallow
- Cold water
- Boat traffic
- Variable visibility
- Training-site traffic
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.
For Non-Divers
Alter Strom promenade; Warnemünde lighthouse
Quick Stats
Dive Logistics
- Tauchcenter Fehmarn
- Ostsee-Tauchschule Kiel
- Submaris Heiligenhafen
- ATUSC Eckernförde
- Flensburg Dive Base
Photography Info
Best for: macro
Nearby Stay
Hotel am See Warnemünde
Warnemünde • 2km away
Pension Warnemünde
Warnemünde • 3km away