Diving in Stavanger & Rogaland
Why dive here
Stavanger & Rogaland offers 102 dive sites in Norway.
Stavanger is one of those places that, on paper, you don't immediately think of for diving. Norway's oil capital, sure, but underwater? We were pleasantly surprised. The Rogaland coastline gives you a proper mix: some fantastic wrecks that really draw you in, big kelp forests that sway and hum with life, and then there’s the sheer drama of Lysefjorden’s underwater walls. Visibility here can be genuinely great, especially outside of the plankton blooms. We’ve had dives where you can see the light filtering down through the kelp, turning everything emerald. Our favourite sites are often those where the old fishing boats have settled, creating homes for the Common lobster and the occasional Broadnosed pipefish. Keep an eye out for the Friendly Blade Shrimp - they’re shy but pop up if you’re patient. The fjords offer a different vibe altogether, a darker, colder beauty with walls that drop into the inky deep, sometimes revealing large European fan-worms filtering the water. It’s certainly not a tropical dive, but the raw, wild nature of it is what we love. Just be prepared for the chill; a drysuit is really non-negotiable here.
Stavanger & Rogaland Dive Site Map
Dive sites and dive centres in Stavanger & Rogaland
Stavanger & Rogaland Dive Sites
102 dive sites in Stavanger & Rogaland
ACHILLES
We’re always on the lookout for a wreck with a story, and Achilles delivers. This old steamship, sunk in 1917, rests in a surprisingly accessible 10 meters, making it a great dive for many experience levels. The ship is broken, but you can still make out a lot of its structure – the bow, the stern, and parts of the engine room are all there to explore. We love picking our way through the scattered plates, imagining the chaos of its sinking. The real magic here is how marine life has absolutely taken over. Crabs scuttle in every crevice, wolf fish lurk in shadowed corners, and the hull is thick with anemones that sway gently in the surge. Visibility can be a bit variable, typical for the area, so we always try to hit it on an incoming tide for the best chance at a clear view. Keep an eye out for the smaller stuff; the amount of nudibranchs we’ve found here sometimes feels endless. It’s a proper atmospheric dive, a glimpse into history that’s now a vibrant home for ocean creatures.
ALBATROS
The Albatros wreck, sitting at 35 metres, is our kind of dive in Rogaland. It’s a fishing vessel, not huge at 14 metres, but it holds a quiet charm. Descending, you feel the chill of the North Sea, but then the wreck emerges from the green, surprisingly intact. We particularly love how the wheelhouse still stands, offering a glimpse into its past life. You can poke your head into the hold, imagining nets and catches, now home to plump cod and territorial wolfish peeking from shadows. The deck is carpeted with anemones and dead man’s fingers, their soft colours a contrast to the rusty metal. It’s a deep, calm dive, best suited for experienced divers comfortable with the cold and limited light. Go on a still day; the viz can really open up, making the Albatros feel less like a ghost and more like a slumbering beast.
ALEX
The Alex wreck off Stavanger is a good call for divers who appreciate a relatively intact fishing vessel. She went down after a collision in 1990, settling upright at 26 metres. What we like about the Alex is how quickly she’s become a home for the local marine life – you’ll spot wrasse darting in and out of the superstructure and sometimes a grumpy monkfish tucked away. Penetration is possible for trained wreck divers, but even just finning around her deck and bridge offers plenty to see. Visibility can be a bit variable here, so we’d suggest checking local reports before you head out.
AMANDA
The Amanda. Now there's a proper wreck dive, especially for those of us who appreciate a good story with our steel. This old cutter went down in 1993, so it’s had plenty of time to settle in and become part of the local scenery. Dropping down to 39 meters, you'll find her sitting upright and largely intact. We love how the wheelhouse offers a genuine penetration, though it’s a tight squeeze in spots, so check your buoyancy. What really sells Amanda for us is the atmosphere. The cold, often dark waters of Rogaland give it a solemn feel. You’ll see the light fall through the wheelhouse windows, picking out the detail of the growth inside. It’s not about big pelagics here; it's about the resident cod and wolfish that have made the wreck their home. Look closely for nudibranchs creeping along the railing. We'd suggest hitting this one on a calm day, as the surface conditions can be tricky getting in and out of the water, and the visibility can vary significantly. It’s a dive that rewards careful exploration rather than a quick look, a real treat for wreck enthusiasts who enjoy a bit of history.
ANNA SOFIA (POSSIBLY)
The Anna Sofia, if it is indeed her, feels like a proper piece of history resting on the seabed. Dropping down, the visibility in these Norwegian fjords can be surprisingly good, letting the ghostly outlines of the wreck emerge from the gloom early. We love how intact she feels; you can swim along her decks, peer into open hatches, imagining the life on board before her final journey. There’s a quiet beauty to the way the cold water has preserved her, with little growth on the metalwork, making the details of her construction easy to appreciate. Our favourite part is the bow, often home to decent-sized cod and pollock, sometimes lurking in the shadows, unbothered by your presence. It’s a dive that rewards slow exploration rather than rushing through, perfect for those who appreciate the story a wreck tells. We’d suggest a good dive light to really pick out the features and any shy inhabitants. This site is definitely for experienced cold-water wreck divers comfortable at 36 metres, who understand that sometimes the mystery is as compelling as the identification.
ASTREA
Okay, so you’re in Stavanger, and the weather’s a bit… Norwegian. But don’t let that put you off *Astrea*. This isn’t a deep dive, not even close, but it’s a brilliant one. We love that it’s right there at 5 metres, making it perfect for longer bottom times, even on a single tank. The *Astrea* is a roll-on/roll-off vessel, a big old girl at over 100 metres long, that went down in 1991. You’ll be finning along the deck at about 3 metres, looking down into the cargo holds. It's fascinating to see the ramps and vehicle decks now completely open to the sea. Light pours in, and the structure is just covered in life. Expect to find plenty of crabs scuttling over the metal, and the deeper recesses are full of cod. It’s not about vibrant corals here, but the sheer scale of a wreck so shallow, so accessible, is what makes it special. We’d suggest going on a calm day; while it’s sheltered, a bit of surface chop can make the top deck feel a bit swirly. It’s an easy, rewarding dive for anyone looking for something a bit different, especially if you’re into wreck photography without the pressure of depth.
A very nice start under the bridge with lots of growth. Then out to deeper water around the point.
This site kicks off right under the bridge, a spot that's surprisingly lush with growth considering its location. We’ve seen a decent variety of smaller critters tucked away here, good for macro enthusiasts or just getting your eyes tuned in. From there, you head out to deeper water around the point. It’s a gentle drift, suitable for most divers looking for a relaxed exploration rather than anything too dramatic. Keep an eye out for the Cape Sharks further out if you’re lucky, but mostly it's about the small stuff and the general atmosphere.
Avik
Avik offers a typical Norwegian shore dive experience, with a gradual slope down to around 20 metres. You'll find the usual suspects here: crabs, lobsters, and plenty of small fish hiding among the kelp and rocks. It's a decent spot for a relaxed dive, especially if you're looking to test out new gear or just want to get wet without much fuss. Suits divers who appreciate a quiet, uncrowded local site.
BERINA
The *Berina* offers a compelling look into a relatively recent bit of maritime history here in Norway. We love a wreck with a story, and this one, sinking in 1979 after a cargo shift, has a real sense of quiet drama about it. Lying at a comfortable 20 metres, she's perfect for divers who appreciate a well-preserved structure without needing extreme depth or technical skills. When you drop down, the *Berina* emerges from the green gloom, a substantial motor vessel that’s now thoroughly claimed by the local ecosystem. The wheelhouse is still largely intact, allowing for some careful penetration if you're comfortable with overhead environments. We’ve seen cod lurking in the shadows, and schools of pollock drift through the holds, their scales catching the ambient light. Keep an eye out for nudibranchs, too; they seem to favour the protected nooks and crannies. This isn't a deep blue Caribbean dive, it’s cold water wreck diving at its best – atmospheric and full of life that thrives in these northern latitudes. Our favourite time to visit is late summer; the visibility tends to be at its best then, and the light penetration really enhances the wreck’s character.
Brem
Brem, near Stavanger, offers a fairly typical Norwegian shore dive. Expect moderate depths, often around 15-20 meters, with a rocky bottom that slopes gently. You’ll likely find crabs, anemones, and small schooling fish like pollack or saithe. It's a reliable spot for local divers looking for an easy, no-frills entry and a relaxed afternoon underwater.
CEANG
The Ceang sits in a shallow bay near Stavanger, a former motor vessel that went down in '77. It’s a sad story, with three lives lost that day. Today, she’s well broken up, scattered across a 10-meter seabed, but you can still pick out pieces of the hull and machinery. Crabs scuttle through the wreckage, and schools of pollock often hang around the larger sections. It's a sombre, peaceful dive, perfect for those wanting to explore a bit of local history without going deep. Just be mindful of the currents; they can pick up, especially on a tide change.
CHRISTIANIA
The Christiania wreck, just outside Stavanger, isn't deep. It sits at a maximum of 10 metres, making it approachable for most divers, but don't let the shallows fool you into thinking it's simple. This isn't some artificial reef; it's a piece of maritime history, a steamer that met its end back in 1897. We love how the shallow depth lets you truly soak in the detail of the wreck. Sunlight filters through the green-blue water, illuminating its collapsed structure and offering fantastic visibility on a good day. You'll find the wooden hull largely broken, scattered across the seafloor, but key features remain. The stern, with its prominent propeller and rudder, is still quite intact and often our favourite spot to linger. You can poke around the boiler and engine room, imagining the ship's last moments. Despite the cold water, the wreck has attracted a surprising amount of life. We've seen lumpsuckers clinging to the metalwork, their camouflage making them tricky to spot, and often a flurry of small schooling fish darting between the timbers. Look for the nudibranchs too; they add a splash of unexpected colour to the muted tones of the wreck. It's a dive that rewards careful exploration rather than speed, perfect for photographers and those who appreciate a wreck with a story.
Stavanger & Rogaland Dive Centres
5 dive shops and operators in Stavanger & Rogaland
Stavanger & Rogaland Daylight & Sunrise/Sunset
Sunrise and sunset times for Stavanger & Rogaland, calculated from coordinates
Today - Monday 24 August
Sunrise
05:09
Sunset
19:54
Daylight
14h 44m
Golden Hour
18:59
First light (dawn) at 04:24 · Last light (dusk) at 20:39
Monthly Averages
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 09:07 | 16:08 | 7h 0m |
| Feb | 08:05 | 17:21 | 9h 16m |
| Mar | 06:49 | 18:28 | 11h 39m |
| Apr | 05:20 | 19:38 | 14h 18m |
| May | 04:04 | 20:47 | 16h 43m |
| JunLongest | 03:21 | 21:37 | 18h 17m |
| Jul | 03:43 | 21:26 | 17h 43m |
| AugNow | 04:47 | 20:20 | 15h 33m |
| Sep | 05:55 | 18:54 | 12h 59m |
| Oct | 07:02 | 17:28 | 10h 26m |
| Nov | 08:15 | 16:11 | 7h 56m |
| DecShortest | 09:12 | 15:35 | 6h 24m |
Times are approximate local times based on longitude. Actual times may vary slightly depending on the exact timezone observed in Stavanger & Rogaland.
Where to Stay near Stavanger & Rogaland
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Marine Protected Areas near Stavanger & Rogaland
340 protected areas near Stavanger & Rogaland - please respect local regulations when diving
Raet
Ytre Hvaler
Hvaler
Ytre Hvaler
Færder
Færder
Jærstrendene
Jærkysten
Jærkysten
Jomfruland
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Rott-Håstein-Kjør
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Getting to Stavanger & Rogaland
Kristiansand(Kjevik)
Stavanger
Sandefjord(Torp)
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