Diving the Eider Barrage

Site Overview

Eider Barrage is a training and reef dive site in Baltic Sea – Schleswig-Holstein (Ostsee), Germany, reached from the base town of Heiligenhafen. The Eider Barrage is a shallow, current-influenced training and macro site where the sluice structure creates a rich artificial reef. Plaice, cuttlefish and nudibranchs thrive on the concrete and rock, making it a favourite for courses and macro photography. The site reaches a maximum depth of 12 m with an average profile around 8 m and a shallow start near 2 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 12 metres, the current is moderate, and the water temperature ranges between 6 and 19 degrees Celsius with low surge exposure. The marine community is centred on Atlantic Cod, European Plaice, Common Cuttlefish, Nudibranchs (Flabellina spp.), Spider Crab, Moon Jellyfish, and the full species list is detailed below for divers planning a trip. The combination of slope, artificial topography and concrete and rock substrate gives Eider Barrage its distinctive character within the Baltic Sea – Schleswig-Holstein (Ostsee) region. Eider Barrage 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 – Schleswig-Holstein (Ostsee) 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.