Scuba diving locations in Austria:

The fauna in Austria’s lakes and rivers is quite diverse: perch, pike, catfish, swan mussel, migratory shell, freshwater sponge, lake trout, grayling, freshwater hydra, crayfish - and in the summer numerous freshwater medusas - are among the colourful water inhabitants. The northern Alps are generally a lot wetter than the rest of the country. The South East (Styria and Carinthia) is dry and sunny.

Try river diving; the rivers Enns, Steyr and especially Traun are suitable.

The Salzkammergut was the site of some top-secret Nazi projects: a naval station on Lake Toplitz that tested prototype miniature submarines and underwater rockets; a plot to destroy the British economy by flooding the market with counterfeit bank notes; and a planned "Fourth Reich" after the Nazis presumed victory against the Allies.

By February, 1945, the German war machine was in a tailspin and retreating fast and the Salzkammergut was one of its final holdouts. In the last days of the war, under the cover of darkness, crate after crate of secret cargo was dumped into the lakes, many of which are deep, with tree-covered mud bottoms. It was the perfect hiding place. Much has been recovered over the years, including thousands of counterfeit bank notes and the equipment used to make them, but much still remains. Stolen art, sealed Swiss bank accounts and millions in gold bullion are rumoured to be hidden in the lakes. The area has come to be known as the "Devil's Dustbin."

When to scuba dive in Austria:

The lakes can be dived year-round, but temperatures at depth in some lakes are as cold as 5 degrees. A dry suit is recommended. Summers last from June to September, and in the . In the Alpine region large temperature fluctuations occur all year round and nights are chilly even in high summer.

Local standards for gear:

The best scuba diving spots in Austria:

The best snorkeling spots in Austria:

Fun scuba Facts:

Country data:

Administrative details

• Currency: Euro (EUR)
• Population: is approximately 8,000,000 (2011)
• Time Zone: CET (GMT+1), Summer CEST (GMT+2)
• Main languages spoken: German ## Diveable overseas territories:

Austrian scuba diving federations:

TAUCHSPORTVERBAND ÖSTERREICHS TVSÖ is a member of Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques CMAS

Local diving laws and regulations (and PADI-equivalent certifications):