Scuba Diving in Sweden

Explore 262 dive sites and 20 dive centres in Sweden. Conditions, marine life, and the best time to dive.

Sweden Diving at a Glance

2 dive regions, 262 dive sites, 20 dive centres, 148 marine species recorded.

Travel Advisories for Sweden

UK FCDO: See travel advice before travelling.

Best Time to Dive in Sweden

The best months to dive in Sweden are January, February, March, based on water temperature, visibility, wave conditions, and currents.

Month-by-Month Diving Conditions

  • January: Poor, water 1.3°C
  • February: Poor, water 1.3°C
  • March: Poor, water 1.3°C
  • April: Poor, water 1.3°C
  • May: Poor, water 1.3°C
  • June: Poor, water 1.3°C
  • July: Poor, water 1.3°C
  • August: Poor, water 1.3°C
  • September: Poor, water 1.3°C
  • October: Poor, water 1.3°C
  • November: Poor, water 1.3°C
  • December: Poor, water 1.3°C

Recommended Packing List for Sweden

Based on average water temperature of 1.3°C.

  • Drysuit - water at 1°C demands a drysuit with thermal undergarments
  • Hood & Gloves (7mm+) - critical to prevent heat loss
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories

Dive Regions

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time of year to go scuba diving in Sweden for optimal conditions and marine life?
Diving in Sweden offers a unique cold-water experience year-round, with water temperatures consistently at 1°C. The Baltic Sea is renowned for its centuries-old preserved wooden shipwrecks due to low salinity and cold temperatures. For rich marine life influenced by the North Sea, the West Coast is particularly notable, making any time suitable for exploring its unique underwater environments. For more general advice, visit our When to Dive guide.
What are the visa and passport requirements for international travelers planning a diving trip to Sweden?
Information regarding visa and passport requirements for international travelers planning a diving trip to Sweden is not available in the current DivePlnr data. We recommend checking the official government websites for the most up-to-date travel regulations before your trip.
What kind of marine life and underwater ecosystems can divers expect to see in Sweden's waters?
Divers in Sweden can expect to encounter diverse underwater ecosystems, particularly unique cold-water environments. The Baltic Sea is famous for its exceptionally well-preserved wooden shipwrecks, a result of the low salinity and cold temperatures. On the West Coast, divers will find rich marine life influenced by the North Sea, offering a different array of species to observe. Explore more about marine life in our wildlife database.
How challenging is scuba diving in Sweden, and what level of experience or certifications are typically recommended?
Scuba diving in Sweden is primarily cold-water diving, with water temperatures consistently at 1°C throughout the year. This necessitates appropriate cold-water gear, such as a drysuit, and often implies a need for experience or specialized certifications in drysuit diving. While specific experience levels are not detailed, divers should be comfortable with cold environments and potentially challenging conditions.
What are the estimated costs for a scuba diving trip to Sweden, including equipment rental and guided dives?
The provided DivePlnr data does not include estimated costs for a scuba diving trip to Sweden, including equipment rental and guided dives. We recommend contacting local dive centers directly for current pricing information.
Which are the most popular or recommended diving regions and specific dive sites in Sweden?
Sweden offers 248 dive sites across two primary sub-regions. The West Coast, particularly around Gothenburg (Sweden West Coast), is highly recommended for its rich marine life influenced by the North Sea, boasting 171 dive sites. For those interested in historical exploration, the Baltic Coast (Sweden Baltic Coast), with 91 sites, is renowned for its exceptionally well-preserved wooden shipwrecks.
What are the typical water temperatures and visibility conditions for diving in Sweden throughout the year?
Divers in Sweden can expect consistently cold water temperatures throughout the entire year, holding steady at 1°C from January to December. This cold environment contributes to the unique preservation of shipwrecks in the Baltic Sea. Information regarding typical visibility conditions is not available in the current DivePlnr data.
Do I need a drysuit for diving in Sweden, and is rental equipment readily available?
Given the consistently cold water temperatures of 1°C throughout the year in Sweden, a drysuit is essential for comfortable and safe diving. While specific details on rental availability are not provided, with 20 dive centers across the country, it is highly probable that rental equipment, including drysuits, is readily available. We recommend confirming with your chosen dive center in advance.