A well-prepared diver, who hasn’t once been in tropical seas, starts to search for new sensations. For completing the picture, you need several visits to northern seas. They have absolutely different underwater, other nature. These specific dives there are not less entertaining.
The sea waters, washing Norway are stretched on many thousand kilometers, and the Gulf Stream’s warm current constantly keeps them unfrozen. In the warm water of the northern seas a diver can find a variety of flora and fauna, as well as sea-crafts, fuselage planes and other objects wreck diving is based on.
Norway may become a magnificent starting point for interesting adventures under the water. Places for diving include northern islands Lofoten and archipelago Spitsbergen, with rather deep coastal lines. At these coasts depth can reach more than 100 meters. In autumn, especially during the herring spawning time, whales come to this area.
The visibility depends on the depth and on the season. It fluctuates from 10 to 30 meters. Water temperature reaches +15, +16 at most, depending on the season.
Thanks to Gulf Stream, the underwater life in fjords and islets is very rich. Here you’ll see big herds of pollacks and cods. At the bottom, you’ll witness sea lines and catfish. Crabs hide in the thickets of seaweed, lobsters are hidden in the stone taluses. Bed combs densely lie on the sandy bottoms. After diving in these areas you may have royal dinner from sea gifts. After all, underwater hunting in Norway is not forbidden.
The underwater reeves, and sometimes even severe weather, became the reason of some ship-wrecks. 30 years ago in the sea, at the western coast of Norway, a gold treasure has been found. The Dutch vessel, with cargo of gold coins onboard, was wrecked at coast of Norway almost 300 years ago. Till now, diver-amateurs search for vessels of the Spanish armada, which have disappeared at coasts of Norway in 1588.
Dramatic shipwrecks also occurred during the Norway occupation of WWII. The combination of fascinating dives to the shipwrecks and dramatic military history, leaves strong and unforgettable impression.
Both Gjulen and Stavang in the west of Norway, with a considerable quantity of cast-away courts at the bottom of the sea, together with the fine nature, and Saltstraumen in Northern Norway, with the most powerful in the world whirlpool, can become a magnificent starting point for fascinating holiday under the water.
Diving in the strongest whirlpool in the world can seem too much extreme and a dangerous occupation for some people, but when the activity is made in controllable conditions, under the direction of skilled guides and according to the table of inflows and outflows, Saltstraumen can appear quiet and silent.
Saltstraumen is considered to be a paradise for divers all over the world. The combination of a current, effective stony formations and sea animals, creates great conditions for fascinating pastime. The people, who are eager to have a bunch of adventures, can visit the pure waters of Saltstraumen, admire the incredible flora and fauna and “dance” with a striped catfish, which is the most terrible and dear inhabitant of Saltstraumen waters.
In addition to the variety of fish here, it is also possible to find some remains of the shipwrecks. On board of one of these crafts, 3000 tones of copper still exist. However, the craft is still inaccessible to humans.
For diving in Norway, it is necessary to observe the strict rules, established by the legislation of the country. Diving in the areas of military bases, fishing zones and habitats are forbidden.
The divers should expose a Norwegian three-colored flag over water, which will mean presence of divers under the water, so that the passing boats could be guided.
There is an interdiction on illegal crab and fish hunting. In case of illegal hunt, the police will confiscate the hunt and the equipment. Instead of hunting illegally, you can get permission and hunt legally in limited quantities.
Using underwater weapon is strictly forbidden.
Watch but never touch! This is the strict rule of diving in Norway.
While plunging on the sunk objects, it is strictly forbidden to lift any parts from the surface or harm any object. Remember that all the underwater objects are historical value and are under state protection. So while diving in the Norway waters remember, “Watch but do not touch!”
In case of detecting an unrevealed underwater object, it is necessary to inform the nearest police station or the diving center about the find.
Not all divers are allowed to dive in Norway. The diver should necessarily be certificated to be allowed to dive. Take this into consideration before getting ready for your Norway dive.
If you have already had some interesting dives in the tropical waters, you now probably need some new adventures. Believe me, all your diving wishes can be realized in the underwater world of Norway.