Diving the Friedrichshafen Wrecks

Site Overview

Friedrichshafen Wrecks is a wreck and reef dive site in Alpine & Pre-Alpine Lakes (Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg), Germany, reached from the base town of Friedrichshafen. The waters off Friedrichshafen hold a scatter of small wrecks and debris from the lake’s trading and zeppelin history, now artificial reefs for whitefish and perch. It is a convenient, clear dive close to the town’s museums. The site reaches a maximum depth of 25 m with an average profile around 16 m and a shallow start near 6 m, which places it firmly in the intermediate category and means divers should hold at least an Advanced Open Water certification. Conditions are typical of the alpine lake environment: visibility generally runs from 8 to 28 metres, the current is weak, and the water temperature ranges between 4 and 19 degrees Celsius with low surge exposure. The marine community is centred on European Perch, Common Whitefish, Brown Trout, Northern Pike, Common Roach, Arctic Char, and the full species list is detailed below for divers planning a trip. The combination of wreck, reef topography and sand and steel substrate gives Friedrichshafen Wrecks its distinctive character within the Alpine & Pre-Alpine Lakes (Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg) region. Friedrichshafen Wrecks 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 Alpine & Pre-Alpine Lakes (Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg) 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.