Explore Carinthia

Carinthia, or Kärnten, is a hidden gem for divers in Austria, boasting over 200 pristine lakes, many of which are of drinking water quality. This Austrian Riviera offers a unique scuba diving experience, especially in the summer, with its gin-clear waters and breathtaking alpine scenery. The lakes here provide a tranquil diving environment where visibility is exceptional, allowing divers to explore at leisure. With the sun shining on the southerly Lake Faaker See and the warmth of Lake Wörthersee, each dive promises a unique experience, whether you're exploring the underwater flora or simply enjoying the serene atmosphere.

Diving in Carinthia is diverse, accommodating various diving styles, from shore dives in the peaceful shallows of Lake Klopeiner to more adventurous ice diving during the crisp winter months. The best time for diving is between May and September when the waters are comfortably warm, and the days are largely cloudless. Ossiacher See and Weissensee are popular choices, offering stunning underwater landscapes set against roaring mountain streams and majestic peaks. This region is perfect for those who seek both adventure and tranquility in a backdrop of natural beauty.

Places to Explore

Lake Faak

Lake Faakersee is a fantastic scuba diving site that guarantees an amazing dive experience.

Freibacher Stausee

1 Divesite

Freibacher Stausee offers a whole variety of fish sheltering in the protection of the roots, from perch, brown trout and lake trout.

Wörthersee

11 Divesites 2 Centers

Experience Austria’s beautiful underwater life in Lake Wörthersee.

Lake Millstatt

4 Divesites

Also listed among the best dive sites in Austria, Lake Millstätter See’s water is crystal clear, and is even safe for drinking.

Weissensee

12 Divesites 1 Center

this amazing Austrian dive site has everything a scuba diver could ever wish for from its rich Austrian wildlife deep within the waters to a diverse flora.

Lake Klopein

1 Divesite 1 Center

Klopeiner See is arguably one of the warmest lakes, and, perhaps, the best dive site in Kärnten to enjoy scuba diving.

Top Dive Sites Map

★★★★☆ Freibacher Stausee

Half an hour south of Klagenfurt at the Wörthersee is this reservoir for the production of electricity. Dammed up in 1957, 7 buildings were also put underwater. Several prominent building’s remains can be dived here at shallow depths.

962
Logs
260
Divers
10.0 m
⌀ Depth
6.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★☆☆ Silbersee Ranch

Located to the west of Villach in the immediate vicinity of the Drau, the Silbersee is an artificial body of water that was created in the 1970s by extracting gravel from the groundwater. There is a platform on the eastern side of the lake and the "Silbersee Ranch" restaurant on the southern side

1,206
Logs
114
Divers
6.0 m
⌀ Depth
3.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Klopeinersee Strandbad Süd

Lake Klopeinersee is located in the south of Carinthia. The entrance is on the southern shore in Strandbad Süd and offers a varied dive between artificial trees and some sunken attractions. From a boat to a replicated dugout can be found here.

5,516
Logs
633
Divers
11.0 m
⌀ Depth
4.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Strandbad Bad Saag

The Bad Saag lido is located between Pörtschach and Velden. The dive site offers a great experience for beginners and advanced divers. In the shallow area you will find vegetation, lots of fish and attractions. The deep area offers an unforgettable diving experience in clear darkness.

2,105
Logs
388
Divers
10.0 m
⌀ Depth
2.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Liafels, Millstätter See

On the north shore of Lake Millstätter See there is a small car park, which offers a comfortable entrance to the two diving routes possible here. Strong vegetation and a beautiful steep face are the main features of this spot. The vegetation in the shore zone offers a perfect hiding place for many fish.

1,263
Logs
211
Divers
23.0 m
⌀ Depth
5.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Längsee Strandbad

At the Längssee there is a great beginner diving area. The entry at the footbridge of the public beach is easy and you can discover a lot along the shoreline in depths up to 7/8m.

207
Logs
71
Divers
8.0 m
⌀ Depth
4.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Sekirn Steilwand

After the somewhat challenging entrance (3m slope into the lake) you dive along the right shoulder of the steep wall. Both in the shallow area up to 10m and under the thermocline in the range 15-30m the dive site offers impressive walls. Occasionally you can find mighty trees at the bottom of the lake.

197
Logs
30
Divers
30.0 m
⌀ Depth
4.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Strandbad Pesenthein, Millstätter See

The beach is easily accessible via the well-maintained lido. The dive site is gently sloping with a light stony bottom that drops to 120 meters. In the sunlit shore area you dive through lush vegetation with countless schools of fish.

913
Logs
94
Divers
14.0 m
⌀ Depth
5.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Cap Wörth Pool

Training pool for exercise lessons. Size 8x13 and 2,2m deep. Ideal for all pool units of beginner programs and for training sessions for further education. The water temperature is about 30 degrees Celsius.

243
Logs
81
Divers
2.0 m
⌀ Depth
13.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Maria Loretto, Wörthersee

In the exclusive Loretto lido in Klagenfurt am Wörthersee there is a diving center. There are artificial fixtures such as carriages, buoyancy control playgrounds, tree trunks, and a practice platform at 3.5m deep.

127
Logs
51
Divers
9.0 m
⌀ Depth
3.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Teixlbucht/Messnerspitz

A dive site accessible from the shore, suitable for beginners in the shallow water area, with steep walls, vegetation and great rock formations. For advanced divers, the thermocline can be crossed here and there are remnants of warlike times (please do not touch anything).

164
Logs
63
Divers
17.0 m
⌀ Depth
3.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★★ Reifnitz Parkplatz 2

Directly from the entrance you can dive either left shoulder or right shoulder directly into the depth. The shallow shore area offers a great diving experience for beginners with many sunken trees and rocks. Below the thermocline (from about 15-20m) you will find great rock formations and steep walls.

77
Logs
25
Divers
23.0 m
⌀ Depth
5.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Strandbad Maiernigg

The dive site offers a nice garden-like area for buoyancy practice. There are two platforms, some fixtures, a sunken car, and some vegetation.

148
Logs
42
Divers
9.0 m
⌀ Depth
3.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Fischerhütte

Our dive site Fischerhütte, is located on the south shore of the lake. The mooring is directly connected to a large fishing hut. Fishermen love this place, because of a a little treasure which you can meet over and over again.

27
Logs
24
Divers
12.0 m
⌀ Depth
3.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★★ Tina

Our dive site Tina, is only 15 minutes away by boat. The beautiful bay convinces with a nice shallow area and a sunken rowing boat on a depth of 12 meters.

67
Logs
52
Divers
15.0 m
⌀ Depth
6.0 m
⌀ Visibility

Diving in Carinthia

Carinthia, a picturesque region in southern Austria, offers several key freshwater dive sites that attract divers worldwide. Among these, Lake Wörthersee is a standout, known for its clear waters and vibrant underwater flora. Divers often enjoy shore dives here, exploring the lake's unique rock formations and plant life. Another popular spot is Lake Weissensee, famed for its pristine waters and diverse aquatic life, including perch and pike.

For those seeking more adventure, the Steinwender quarry provides a thrilling dive experience with its submerged platforms and steep walls. Cave diving enthusiasts can explore the fascinating underwater cave systems of the region, such as those found in Lake Millstätter See, which offer an exciting challenge with their intricate passages. Overall, Carinthia's diverse dive sites cater to various diving styles and promise unique underwater experiences for divers of all skill levels.

The best Months to dive in Carinthia

Carinthia offers diverse freshwater diving experiences throughout the year. In spring, water temperatures range from 8°C–12°C/46°F–54°F, with improving visibility as snowmelt subsides. However, divers should be cautious of swift currents and debris.

By summer, temperatures rise to 18°C–23°C/64°F–73°F, providing ideal conditions with clear visibility, making July to September the best months for diving. During winter, lakes can be ice-covered, with temperatures dropping to 2°C–4°C/36°F–39°F, limiting access but offering unique ice diving opportunities for experienced divers.

Statistics

Historical data and trends

Dive Activity & Environmental Conditions

Centers Map

Tauchshop Klagenfurt

Villacher Ring 59, 9020 Klagenfurt, AUT

DIVE & FUN

Goethestraße 18, 9523 Villach-Landskron, AUT

TSV Blackdivers

St.Petererstrasse 2, 9100 Völkermarkt, AUT

Swim & Dive by Happy Smile

Eichenweg 14, 9100 Völkermarkt, AUT

Dive Center Klopeiner See

Ziehrerweg 3, 9400 Wolfsberg, AUT

Mauges Tauchzentrum Ossiachersee

Seeuferstr. 12, 9520 Annenheim am Ossiachersee, AUT

Diving Weissensee

Strandbad Stockenboi, 9714 Stockenboi, AUT