Finnmark offers a distinctive cold-water diving experience shaped by Arctic conditions and a varied mix of site types. Wrecks are a defining feature, from shallow aircraft wrecks such as the Curtis P-40 Warhawk and the Dornier DO-24 to the deeper DS Martha. Reefs, walls, kelp forests, and even a cave system round out the portfolio. The Kirkenes sub-area holds the majority of sites, while North Cape and Magerøya adds iconic boat-access diving with reef, wreck, and drift profiles. Observed species include the Righteye Flounder, Atlantic Wolffish, Coconut Octopus, and Crab.
2 areas
Monthly water temperature across Finnmark's sites, from satellite sea-surface data corrected for depth. The band shows the site-to-site spread.
Water temperature sits at its coldest through late winter and early spring, rising gradually toward a summer peak in July and August before dropping back through autumn. The warmest months align with the best-season window, making summer the most comfortable time for extended bottom time. Conditions vary by site: some reefs and drift sites experience moderate to strong currents, so checking site-specific information before diving is advisable.
3 operators
Water temperature around Finnmark ranges from about 4°C in February to 11°C in August, based on satellite sea-temperature data for its dive sites.
With water around 4–11°C, a drysuit works in Finnmark year-round.
Fin maps 18 sites in Finnmark (18 scuba diving sites and 1 snorkelling spots, with some suited to both), organised into 2 areas.
Observation-backed sightings in Finnmark include the Righteye Flounder, Atlantic Wolffish, Coconut Octopus, and Crab. The Righteye Flounder is recorded across the region's sites and is frequently encountered. The Atlantic Wolffish, a characterful cold-water species, has been observed at a notable share of sites.
A good number of sites are rated beginner-friendly, including the Fugleberg wall, the Labyrint reef and kelp forest, the Curtis P-40 Warhawk aircraft wreck, and the Olsa reef. Intermediate-rated sites such as North Cape and Heikeneset introduce stronger currents and greater depth, giving progressing divers room to develop. The mix across both sub-areas, Kirkenes and North Cape and Magerøya, means divers of different experience levels can find appropriate sites.
Kirkenes holds the larger share of sites and includes diverse entries such as shore dives at Heikeneset and Faulbaum alongside boat-access wrecks and reefs. North Cape and Magerøya centres on the iconic North Cape site, which combines reef, wreck, and drift diving with a wide depth range, and is only reachable by boat. Both sub-areas offer wreck diving, but the topography and access styles differ noticeably between them.
Finnmark has a varied wreck portfolio spanning aircraft and vessels. The Curtis P-40 Warhawk and the Dornier DO-24 are submerged aircraft accessible to beginner and intermediate divers respectively. The DS Martha is a deeper vessel wreck suited to more experienced divers, while the shallower Faulbaum wreck is accessible from shore. North Cape also includes wreck topography as part of its combined reef and drift profile.
