Upper Austria offers a distinctive freshwater diving landscape centred on two sub-areas: Attersee, which holds the majority of sites, and Wolfgangsee. The character here is shaped by alpine lake and river conditions rather than the sea: walls that plunge to serious depth, drift dives on the River Traun, caverns, wrecks, and an unusual variety of artificial reef structures. Common Perch and Pike are observed across most sites, while Brown Trout, Burbot, and European Eel reward patient divers. Site difficulty ranges from sheltered, shallow beginner dives to demanding walls and current-driven river sites suited only to advanced divers.
2 areas
41 operators
Fin maps 99 sites in Upper Austria (96 scuba diving sites and 18 snorkelling spots, with some suited to both), organised into 2 areas.
Upper Austria's lakes and rivers are home to a broad range of freshwater species. Common Perch and Pike are observed very frequently across sites, while Sun Perch is also a common sight. Divers occasionally spot European Eel, Burbot, Brown Trout, Signal Crayfish, and Chub, making each dive a varied wildlife experience.
A good number of sites across both Attersee and Wolfgangsee are rated for beginner divers, including shore-entry lake dives such as Attersee Steinwand, Landbettler, and Weißenbacheinlauf. However, sites like Sonnstein, Ofen, and Traun River Falls involve significant depth or strong currents and are reserved for advanced divers. Beginners should confirm skill requirements before visiting any river site.
Attersee is the larger of the two sub-areas and holds the majority of sites in Upper Austria, offering a wide range of topographies including walls, wrecks, caverns, and river drift dives. Wolfgangsee is a smaller but worthwhile destination, with sites such as Landbettler and Waldbad Anif providing accessible lake diving. Both sub-areas are served by local dive operators.
Shore entry is the dominant access method across Upper Austria, covering the majority of listed sites in both Attersee and Wolfgangsee. Some sites, including Sonnstein and the Attersee site at Kohlbauernaufsatz, also offer boat access for those who prefer it. The prevalence of shore entry makes independent diving straightforward for those with their own equipment.
