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Austria

Divesites
91
Centers
42
Courses & Events
197
Wildlife
9
© iStock/4FR

Explore Austria

Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, known for its Alpine landscapes, historic cities, and outdoor activities. Visitors come for hiking, skiing, culture, and lake holidays. Alongside these well-known attractions, Austria also offers freshwater diving in several clear alpine lakes.

As Austria has no coastline, all diving takes place in lakes. Some of the most popular dive locations include Lake Attersee, Lake Wolfgangsee, and Lake Traunsee. These lakes are known for good visibility, steep underwater walls, rock formations, submerged trees, and occasional artificial objects placed for divers. Conditions vary depending on the season, but visibility is often best in the colder months. The underwater life is typical for Central European freshwater environments. Divers may see pike, perch, carp, char, and crayfish. While there is no marine life, the lakes offer calm conditions that are suitable for training dives, recreational diving, and underwater photography.

Most dive sites are accessible from the shore, and local dive centers provide equipment rental, air fills, and guided dives. Water temperatures are generally cold, so dry suits or thick wetsuits are recommended for much of the year. Diving in Austria is a practical option for travelers who want to combine outdoor activities, city trips, and freshwater diving in one destination. It is especially suitable for divers interested in clear alpine lakes and structured, well-organized dive infrastructure.

Power Plug Type
C, F
Payment Method
VISA, MC, AMEX, DC
Tipping
Service is usually included. It is customary to round up or tip around 5–10% in restaurants and for services.
Airports
VIE
Currency
EUR
Dial Code
+43
Electricity
230V / 50Hz
Time
UTC+1, UTC+2

Places to explore

Courses and Events

Dive Centers

Dive Sites

Top Wildlife Sightings in Austria

In Austria's freshwater bodies, divers can encounter a diverse array of wildlife, including species such as perch, trout, and pike. The enchanting lakes and rivers host these common fish, providing a vibrant underwater experience. Notably, catfish can be spotted in certain areas, sometimes reaching impressive sizes. Sturgeon, while more challenging to find, offer a unique spectacle for divers lucky enough to encounter them. Visibility and depth significantly influence sightings. In clearer, shallower waters during summer, divers have better opportunities to observe fish. However, the colder months can enhance visibility, offering different vantage points for seeing fish in their natural habitats. Seasonal spawning activities, especially in spring, attract divers eager to witness the dynamic underwater interactions, providing a dynamic and rewarding dive experience. Each season presents a unique aspect of Austria's freshwater biodiversity.

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 5

Pike

12k Sightings
J
80
F
96
M
125
A
275
M
779
J
1.5k
J
2.5k
A
3.2k
S
2.1k
O
1.1k
N
273
D
153

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3

Perch

12k Sightings
J
140
F
129
M
190
A
383
M
1.1k
J
1.6k
J
2.3k
A
2.7k
S
1.8k
O
972
N
305
D
160

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 19

Bass

7.9k Sightings
J
24
F
17
M
56
A
143
M
598
J
1.2k
J
1.9k
A
2k
S
1.4k
O
444
N
85
D
43

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 30

Carp

6.9k Sightings
J
21
F
5
M
26
A
71
M
440
J
933
J
1.9k
A
2k
S
1.1k
O
241
N
44
D
28

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3000

Catfish

3.4k Sightings
J
25
F
19
M
80
A
80
M
252
J
440
J
850
A
823
S
584
O
178
N
70
D
33

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 35

Trout

1.8k Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
2
A
3
M
141
J
329
J
424
A
488
S
328
O
81
N
4
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 600

Crayfish

1.6k Sightings
J
13
F
3
M
13
A
20
M
60
J
222
J
397
A
384
S
276
O
161
N
29
D
12

Common Rudd

815 Sightings
J
0
F
2
M
0
A
4
M
40
J
132
J
288
A
240
S
84
O
19
N
4
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 27

Sturgeon

760 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
37
J
137
J
218
A
228
S
113
O
22
N
0
D
2