Bodensee is a freshwater diving region built almost entirely around shore-entry lake and river sites. Former gravel pits fitted with artificial reefs form the backbone of the experience, while drift dives along the Rhine add current-driven variety. Beginner-friendly quarry ponds sit alongside deep walls and wrecks for advanced divers. Common Perch, Pike, European Eel and the occasional Sturgeon are reliably sighted. Sub-areas Überlingen and Wallhausen each offer their own concentration of sites.
116 operators
95 more sites to explore
2 areas
Fin maps 107 sites in Bodensee (104 scuba diving sites and 10 snorkelling spots, with some suited to both), organised into 2 areas.
Across Bodensee's dive sites, May, June, July, August and September are most often reported as the best months to visit.
Bodensee is freshwater, so the species list is quite different from coastal diving. Common Perch, Pike and Sun Perch are frequently observed across many sites. Occasional sightings include European Eel, Sturgeon, Pike Perch, Burbot, Carp, Catfish and Wels Catfish. The region has also produced observations of Freshwater Jellyfish, which is a notable rarity for a European dive site.
A large proportion of sites are rated beginner level, including numerous artificial reef quarry lakes such as Haussee, Althäuser See, Apostelsee and Baggersee Giesen. These offer calm, current-free conditions and straightforward shore entries. The river drift sites, including Zollbrücke Rheinau and Altenburg Aquarium, are rated advanced due to strong currents and require solid experience before attempting them.
Wallhausen is notable for its river drift dives, including Altenburg Aquarium and Zollbrücke Rheinau, where current is the defining feature and advanced skills are expected. Überlingen offers a broader cluster of sites that suit a range of experience levels. Across both areas, shore entry from lake and riverbank is the norm, with no boat requirement for the vast majority of dives.
Artificial reefs are the most common feature, found at sites including Vogelsee, Rheinauer See, Deglersee and Gänsedrecksee, where submerged structures provide focal points for wildlife. Several sites also include wrecks and wall topography, with Vogelsee offering all three in a single deep dive. River drift dives along the Rhine add a completely different character, relying on current rather than structure to drive the experience.
