Saltstraumen is a narrow strait near Bodø that connects fjords and generates one of the strongest tidal currents in the world. Diving here is fundamentally tide-dependent: dives at the main Saltstraumen site must be timed precisely to slack water, and boat access is required. The four sites span drift, wall, reef, cave, and wreck diving, with the Rabat wreck accessible to intermediates and shallower sites such as Morkvedbukta offering entry-level options. The current draws large aggregations of fish, and the species list is dominated by nudibranchs, with multiple recorded species including wolffish, anglerfish, cuckoo wrasse, and Atlantic warbonnet.
Monthly water temperature across Saltstraumen's sites, from satellite sea-surface data corrected for depth. The band shows the site-to-site spread.
Water is coldest in late winter and spring, and reaches its warmest in late summer. A drysuit is required at all times of year. The main season runs from May to October, and all diving at the strait itself must be planned around the tidal cycle.
Water temperature around Saltstraumen ranges from about 5°C in February to 14°C in August, based on satellite sea-temperature data for its dive sites.
In the warm season (about 14°C) a 7mm or semi-dry suit is comfortable in Saltstraumen; in the coldest months (about 5°C) step up to a drysuit.
Fin maps 4 sites in Saltstraumen (4 scuba diving sites).
1 more site to explore
