Explore Oosterschelde

Diving in Oosterschelde, the largest national park in the Netherlands, offers a unique and captivating underwater experience. Known for its diverse marine life, this destination draws divers from around the world, particularly during the cuttlefish mating season. It's a fascinating time when these intelligent creatures gather in large numbers, creating a spectacle of marine life activity. The waters here also serve as a breeding ground for diverse species such as squid and seahorses, making each dive a chance to encounter something extraordinary. The dive environment in Oosterschelde is characterized by tidal conditions which dictate when diving is feasible. This aspect adds an element of challenge, making it crucial for divers to plan meticulously. Diving is possible for only a limited time each day, and during these windows, the area can become quite popular. Despite the challenges, the reward is immense, as the thriving ecosystems and vibrant marine life make it a dive destination not to be missed.

Upcoming Events

Instructor Evaluation

SSI Benelux

Instructor Evaluation - IE

15 Nov 2025

Start today - You need to be a Divemaster or equivalent to join SSI´s 3-Step Instructor Training Approach. The training process starts with joining the Assistant Instructor / Instructor Training Course combination accompanied with Digital Learning. After successful completion of the Instructor Training Course (ITC) you will enroll in an Instructor Evaluation (IE) to qualify as an SSI Open Water Instructor. This 10 day training program entitles you to teach various key SSI programs independently like Scuba Diver, Open Water Diver, Enriched Air Nitrox, Diver Stress & Rescue and Dive Guide.

For those who want to take more time to learn and to gain valuable teaching experience between the training programs the 3 parts can also be taken as single steps - Assistant Instructor, Instructor Training Course (ITC) and Instructor Evaluation (IE) one after the other at own pace and with a flexible schedule.

Instructor Evaluation

SSI Benelux

Instructor Evaluation - IE

20 Nov 2025

The Instructor Evaluation (IE) is the final step of SSI’s 2-Step Instructor Training Approach Divemasters or equivalent-level professionals will have to successfully complete the Instructor Training Course (ITC) first where you’ll learn how to:

• Conduct academic sessions
• Lead confined water training
• Teach Open Water Diver and various Specialty programs like Enriched Air Nitrox, Diver Stress&Rescue, Perfect Buoyancy and more
• Develop student management and communication skills

Already an experienced instructor with another agency? You may be eligible for shortened oboarding options where you will only have to complete certain parts of the Instructor Training Course (ITC) followed by passing an Instructor Evaluation (IE). Contact an SSI Training Center near you to learn more.
Already certified as an Assistant Instructor with another agency? You could continue your professional journey with SSI. Get in touch with a local SSI Training Center to explore your options.

Top Dive Sites Map

★★★★☆ Zeelandbrug

Zeeland Bridge can be called the most popular dive site on the Eastern Scheldt. Especially in the sepia season (May-June) this site is very popular among divers from the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany.

3,314
Logs
968
Divers
12.0 m
⌀ Depth
3.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Bergse Diepsluis

The Bergse Diepsluis, also known as Oesterdam or the Thoolse Gat by local divers, is a very accessible site and enables divers to get acquainted with the wonders of the Oosterschelde National Park. This site has little to no current due to its location, making it an ideal spot for beginners.

5,561
Logs
1,321
Divers
10.0 m
⌀ Depth
4.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ St Annaland

There is a small parking lot and you walk along the dike, until the bend, there you go into the water. Easiest to go into the water at high tide. When you dive here at rising tide, you can perfectly drift back to the beach here. Keep in mind that boat traffic can come quite close to the shore here.

626
Logs
262
Divers
9.0 m
⌀ Depth
4.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★☆☆ Kisternol

Parking is possible at “Borrendamme“ on the Boerenweg. Then follows a long walk. The bottom of Kistersnol is nicely strewn with blocks and oysters. Since you are closer to the storm surge barrier here, the current of Kistersnol can be strong and the turnaround here is very short.

7
Logs
5
Divers
12.0 m
⌀ Depth
4.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★☆☆ Burghsluis

This is the most westerly spot after the Oosterscheldekering, the current is strong here and it is advisable to only dive here with Oosterschelde experience and at a low tide.

46
Logs
22
Divers
16.0 m
⌀ Depth
3.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Burghsluis Oostbout

It is strongly advised not to dive here at high tide, as once the tide has turned, there is a risk that you will be pulled away from the shore by the outflowing water, towards the storm surge barrier.

15
Logs
15
Divers
16.0 m
⌀ Depth
2.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★☆☆☆ Havenhoofd

There is not much diving on the pier. It is a long walk but the spot is worth it! Please note, it is located at the harbor entrance of Zierikzee so do not dive in the waterway. One spot runs down to a depth of 50 meters but after the Second World War ammunition was dumped here and it is a prohibited diving area.

2
Logs
2
Divers
12.0 m
⌀ Depth

★★★☆☆ Levensstrijd

Levensstrijd (Life Struggle) is a relatively shallow dive site, but if you don’t like the crowds at the neighboring dive sites, then this is the place for you. You can dive both along the rock dump on the dike and the sandy bottom where you can also find harder substrate.

50
Logs
37
Divers
7.0 m
⌀ Depth
3.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★☆☆ Kleine Stelle

The spot is named after the campsite, go into the water right across from the parking lot, disadvantage here is a fairly shallow sandbank, at low tide there is only a meter of water. 100 meters is the wall this consists of stones that are nicely overgrown, even at depths up to 25m. Advice is diving at high tide.

97
Logs
42
Divers
22.0 m
⌀ Depth
4.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★☆☆ Zuidbout

At the end of the dam, however, you get a beautiful steep wall that runs out into one of the deeper places of the Oosterschelde. On the left side of the dam lies a small wreck at a depth of 12 meters. There is not much to recognize anymore but it is nicely overgrown. Zuidbout is not a suitable place for beginners.

65
Logs
45
Divers
21.0 m
⌀ Depth
3.0 m
⌀ Visibility

☆☆☆☆☆ Lokkersnol

Like a number of other spots in the Oosterschelde it is quite a walk. A boat dive can be a solution here. It is a surprisingly nice and diverse spot with lots of life.

5
Logs
4
Divers
14.0 m
⌀ Depth

★★★★★ Westbout

The west end is a former dive site which is most western site on the Schouwen-Duiveland side of the Eastern Scheldt. The site is within the security area of the Oosterscheldekering which means diving is prohibited without the approval of the Rijkswaterstaat.

6
Logs
5
Divers
13.0 m
⌀ Depth
4.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Plompetoren, Koudekerke

The Plompetoren dive site is named after the remaining tower of the village of Koudekerke, which disappeared into the sea. This is not a difficult dive site when it comes to navigation, the side is straight and the depth lines run up to 30 meters approximately parallel to the shore.

366
Logs
208
Divers
15.0 m
⌀ Depth
2.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★☆☆☆☆ Dijkval

Dijkval owes its name to its past. Here a dike has regularly broken through, a little further towards the Schelphoek the Caissons, used for repair are still clearly visible. Here you can dive nicely on the reef of oysters.

5
Logs
4
Divers
13.0 m
⌀ Depth
1.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Strijenham

If you fancy a quiet dive or a night dive, Strijenham is the place to be. You can even dive outside the tide if you want, but you sometimes have to take into account a moderate current.

322
Logs
171
Divers
11.0 m
⌀ Depth
3.0 m
⌀ Visibility

Diving in Oosterschelde

The Oosterschelde, a renowned dive destination in the Netherlands, offers a variety of engaging underwater experiences. Notable wreck dives include the "Le Serpent" and "North Sea Wreck", where divers can explore remnants of history swathed in marine life. These sites are teeming with creatures like lobsters and conger eels, making them a treat for both novice and experienced divers. Popular shore dives, such as "Plompe Toren", offer easy access and stunning views of the marine ecosystem, characterized by vibrant sea anemones and fascinating cuttlefish displays. Night dives here reveal the mesmerizing bioluminescence and the nocturnal behavior of creatures like seahorses. The Oosterschelde provides a balanced diving experience, catering to both shore and liveaboard divers with its rich underwater tapestry and diverse marine life encounters.

The best Months to dive in Oosterschelde

The Oosterschelde, located in the Netherlands, offers diving opportunities throughout the year. Water temperatures range from 4°C/39°F in winter to 20°C/68°F in late summer. Winter diving is possible but demanding due to the cold; summer months provide more comfortable conditions. Visibility in the Oosterschelde varies, typically ranging between 3 and 10 meters/10 and 33 feet, influenced by tidal currents and weather conditions. Strong winds can reduce visibility and increase currents, making diving more challenging. Spring and autumn are generally less favorable due to unpredictable weather patterns, while summer offers calmer seas and better visibility, making it ideal for divers.

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Dive Activity & Environmental Conditions

Centers Map

SSI Benelux

Schuttershofstraat 22, 4301BA Zierikzee, NLD