Diving Privall
Site Overview
Privall is a training and reef dive site in Baltic Sea – Schleswig-Holstein (Ostsee), Germany, reached from the base town of Lübeck. Privall is a shallow shore-entry training site near Travemünde, with a gentle slope, artificial structures and abundant macro life. It is a relaxed place to complete skills and photograph nudibranchs and juvenile fish. The site reaches a maximum depth of 12 m with an average profile around 7 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 19 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 slope, artificial topography and sand and rock substrate gives Privall its distinctive character within the Baltic Sea – Schleswig-Holstein (Ostsee) region. Privall 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.
Dive Briefing
"Entry is made by a shore entry near Lübeck, and divers should check in with a local centre in Lübeck before entering the water. Privall is a shallow shore-entry training site near Travemünde, with a gentle slope, artificial structures and abundant macro life. It is a relaxed place to complete skills and photograph nudibranchs and juvenile fish. Plan your profile around a maximum depth of 12 m and an average of 7 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 rock 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 slope, artificial, 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 Privall 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 Hyperbares Zentrum, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck."
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?
Privall 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
Privall beach
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 Lübeck
Lübeck • 2km away
Pension Lübeck
Lübeck • 3km away