Diving the Stechlinsee

Site Overview

Stechlinsee is a deep and reef dive site in Northern German Lakes – Mecklenburg Lake District & Brandenburg, Germany, reached from the base town of Fürstenberg. The Stechlinsee is one of Germany’s clearest and deepest lakes, with visibility up to 20 m and submerged forests and roads on its dark slopes. It is a legendary night-dive and training lake, and its depth demands respect and good gas planning. The site reaches a maximum depth of 58 m with an average profile around 30 m and a shallow start near 2 m, which places it firmly in the advanced category and means divers should hold at least an Advanced Open Water certification. Conditions are typical of the freshwater lake environment: visibility generally runs from 8 to 20 metres, the current is weak, and the water temperature ranges between 4 and 20 degrees Celsius with low surge exposure. The marine community is centred on European Perch, Common Roach, Northern Pike, Common Rudd, European Eel, Arctic Char, and the full species list is detailed below for divers planning a trip. The combination of wall, forest topography and rock and sand substrate gives Stechlinsee its distinctive character within the Northern German Lakes – Mecklenburg Lake District & Brandenburg region. Stechlinsee 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 Northern German Lakes – Mecklenburg Lake District & Brandenburg 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.