Diving the Wreck of the St. Nikolaus

Site Overview

Wreck of the St. Nikolaus is a wreck and training dive site in Alpine & Pre-Alpine Lakes (Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg), Germany, reached from the base town of Prien. The St. Nikolaus is a shallow wreck in the Chiemsee, an easy, macro-rich dive ideal for beginners and training. It is a relaxed way to sample the lake’s clear water close to the shore. The site reaches a maximum depth of 12 m with an average profile around 8 m and a shallow start near 3 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 alpine lake environment: visibility generally runs from 6 to 18 metres, the current is weak, and the water temperature ranges between 5 and 20 degrees Celsius with low surge exposure. The marine community is centred on European Perch, Common Roach, Northern Pike, Common Rudd, Signal Crayfish, Tench, and the full species list is detailed below for divers planning a trip. The combination of wreck topography and sand and wood substrate gives Wreck of the St. Nikolaus its distinctive character within the Alpine & Pre-Alpine Lakes (Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg) region. Wreck of the St. Nikolaus 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.