Diving Wannsee
Site Overview
Wannsee is a training and wreck dive site in Northern German Lakes – Mecklenburg Lake District & Brandenburg, Germany, reached from the base town of Berlin. Wannsee is a famous Berlin bathing lake with sunken training platforms and the wreck of the Linie ferry resting in shallow water. It is a historic, easily reached dive that doubles as a summer swimming spot for the city. The site reaches a maximum depth of 14 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 freshwater lake environment: visibility generally runs from 3 to 10 metres, the current is weak, and the water temperature ranges between 5 and 22 degrees Celsius with low surge exposure. The marine community is centred on Northern Pike, European Perch, Common Roach, Common Rudd, European Eel, Tench, and the full species list is detailed below for divers planning a trip. The combination of artificial, plateau topography and sand and wood substrate gives Wannsee its distinctive character within the Northern German Lakes – Mecklenburg Lake District & Brandenburg region. Wannsee 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.
Dive Briefing
"Entry is made by a shore entry near Berlin, and divers should check in with a local centre in Berlin before entering the water. Wannsee is a famous Berlin bathing lake with sunken training platforms and the wreck of the Linie ferry resting in shallow water. It is a historic, easily reached dive that doubles as a summer swimming spot for the city. Plan your profile around a maximum depth of 14 m and an average of 8 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 wood bottom and submerged structures are easily disturbed, and Sunken platforms, Cold water, Variable visibility are real considerations throughout the dive. The training and wreck topography offers artificial, plateau, and the marine life centres on Northern Pike, European Perch, Common Roach, Common Rudd, European Eel, Tench alongside the other species listed for the site. Take a moment to review the site-specific hazards with your guide, because conditions at Wannsee 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, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin."
Signature Marine Life
Northern Pike
Esox lucius
Best: June, July, August
European Perch
Perca fluviatilis
Best: June, July, August
Common Roach
Rutilus rutilus
Best: June, July, August
Common Rudd
Scardinius erythrophthalmus
Best: June, July, August
European Eel
Anguilla anguilla
Best: June, July, August
Tench
Tinca tinca
Best: June, July, August
Safety & Hazards
- Sunken platforms
- Cold water
- Variable visibility
- Boat traffic
- Weed entanglement
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
Wannsee suits beginner divers holding at least an Open Water certification, and it is a strong choice for those who enjoy the freshwater lake water of Germany. Photographers, training groups and divers chasing training, wreck, 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
Wannsee lido; Berlin sights
Quick Stats
Dive Logistics
- Tauchclub Müritz
- Schwerin Wassersport
- Berlin Tauchschule
- See-Tauchcenter Brandenburg
- Brandenburg Divers
Photography Info
Best for: macro
Nearby Stay
Hotel am See Berlin
Berlin • 2km away
Pension Berlin
Berlin • 3km away