Some of the best diving in the world can be done in lakes. Some countries are landlocked and the only possibility to go diving is in a lake or quarry. For the adventurous at heart, lake diving can also be combined with altitude diving or ice diving for truly special dives. Altitude diving gives you the opportunity to explore some of the most beautiful lakes in the world nestled between mountains.
Lakes as they are less affected by currents and tides are usually relatively calm. Over time, sediments end up forming on the bottom of lakes. When diving, this sediment can get stirred up which limits visibility. Carrying a dive light is important when diving lakes at depth as they are generally darker with less light access than sea dives.
Lake dives are usually done from the shore, with the same entry and exit points. A compass is a good tool to help orientate yourself to the exit point with limited visibility. Sea water is denser than freshwater, an item that is neutrally buoyant in salt water will sink in fresh water. Lakes can often be colder than ocean divers, which can mean wearing multiple wetsuits or even a drysuit. As a result, your buoyancy during a lake dive may be affected and having a buoyancy check at the beginning will help you get properly weighted for the dive.
While there are so many impressive lake dives around the world, let’s take a look at some of the best:
Grüner See, Tragöß, Austria
During the summer, this dive site is a natural park which hikers go to and explore the surrounding areas. Every spring, when the snow melts, the lake gets filled with crystal clear, green water. The lake is quite shallow at around 10 meters but makes for a truly interesting dive as you explore the underwater benches and trees. June and July are the best months for this site.
Lake Baikal, Russia
Lake Baikal, located in southeastern Siberia, is the world’s largest and deepest lake, containing about 20 percent of all freshwater on the planet. This lake boasts over 2,000 species of plants and animals, many of them endemic to the lake, including the nerpa seal, the world’s only freshwater seal. You can explore this lake all year round but in the winter months when the lake freezes over, it is possible to go ice diving which has incredible visibility. The ice usually freezes with clarity due to the purity of the water. In the summer, the lake can warm to between 4 and 18 degrees celsius.
Bonne Terre Mine Lake, Missouri, United States
For a unique lake diving experience, head to Bonne Terre Mine for an experience you are unlikely to forget. Situated at the bottom of a mine, Bonne Terre Mine Lake, there are artifacts lying at the bottom which make a fun dive for divers. Cruise along and even see the original elevator shaft, oar cars and even staircases. The visibility is usually 30 meters no matter the time of year and diving can be done all year-round.
Tobermory, Lake Huron, Canada
You may have heard of the Great Lakes in Ontario, Canada. Tobermory is deemed by some in the dive industry as the freshwater scuba capital of the world. The temperature of the Great Lakes is ideal for preserving ancient wrecks. The Great Lakes have incredible visibility. Tobermory features several shipwrecks that advanced divers will enjoy exploring, while some wrecks are deep and require deep diving certifications. Some cold water diving experience would also be helpful. The best time of year to explore the Great Lakes is May to October.
Lago del Naret, Switzerland
Switzerland has some of the most beautiful lakes and mountains in the world. Lago del Naret, situated in the Ticino canton, is the only freshwater lake in the world that has icebergs in it. It’s a high-altitude lake, a favourite amongst altitude and cold water divers. The depth of the lake is 104m making it perfect for both recreational and technical divers. During the summer, the ice on the lake melts and it makes for an impressive dive site. July and August are the best months to dive.
Summit Lake, Alaska
A once in a lifetime sort of dive, Summit Lake is located in the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. It is a challenging dive done in a high altitude lake with cold water. It is best to dive in the winter months from December to May when the lake is frozen over. The lake is filled with flora and fauna, and a much sought after marine animal the sockeye salmon. It features one of the most beautiful backdrops to any dive site. You’ll need an altitude and ice diving certification if you want to dive this lake during winter.
