Diving at Lake Achensee
Anyone who has always wondered what lies at the bottom of Tirol’s largest lake should go for a dive in Lake Achensee. The lake is hugely popular with divers, not only because of its excellent water quality and visibility, which on some days reaches up to ten metres. The four most popular dive sites are located on the eastern side of the lake – Hechenberg, Schwarzenau, and the dive site of the Innsbruck Diving Club, situated at the northern end of the tunnel towards Achenkirch.
Here, not far from the shore, divers come across some real “curiosities”. From a statue of the Madonna and an old Opel Blitz – also known as the "Dodge" by divers – which mysteriously sank, to sunken boats and old VW Beetles, there’s plenty to spot. The Innsbruck Diving Club has created a particularly impressive diver’s paradise. The individual attractions, located at various depths, are connected by a line. Along this exciting underwater trail, there is a cable car gondola, a telephone box, and a postbox to explore, as well as an original treasure chest.
The diving club 1. Tiroler Tauchsport-Club Innsbruck, which was founded in 1962, has created a little diver’s paradise. Access to the TCI parkour is easy, it lies below the tunnel of the B181 federal road between Maurach and Achenkirch. From a cable car gondola to a telephone booth to a treasure chest: What you can discover on this dive is most remarkable.
This diving spot is located near the campsite Schwarzenau and very popular among beginners. After a shallow access, you dive to a depth of 5 metres. Keep to the left until you come to the curious objects that have sunken here, for example, a wooden toilet.
This shallow dive, which is also suitable for beginners, lets you explore three VW Beetle wrecks. The diving spot is accessible from the parking lot via a flat footpath. Most divers bring collapsible trolleys to haul their equipment to the lake.
This dive site equires advanced diving skills and is located before the ascent to Hechenberg. Here too, at a depth of ca. 18 metres, still waters run deep and offer an unparalleled underwater sightseeing experience. Discover imposing steep faces, a statue of the Madonna and an old Opel "Blitz" which sunk under mysterious circumstances.
Tauchlizenz Achensee
What to know before diving at Lake Achensee?
- The single-dive permit entitles the holder to dive exclusively within the designated diving zone from 1 April to 30 November. This permit must be displayed visibly inside the vehicle during the dive. No single-dive permits are issued from 1 December to 31 March, meaning individual diving is prohibited during this period.
- Diving at Lake Achensee may only be undertaken by individuals with appropriate scuba training and must be conducted within the limits of their respective certification level.
- The single-dive permit is valid only for recreational diving. Fishing, as well as carrying harpoons or any other underwater hunting equipment, is strictly prohibited without exception.
- Providing dive instruction or conducting commercial dives under a standard single-dive permit is prohibited; a separate special permit is required for these activities.
- It is prohibited to recover any objects from the bottom of Lake Achensee, or to touch or use any underwater installations or potentially hazardous objects.
This is only an extract from the conditions of authorisation. Please read the full document issued by the Innsbruck City Council – Achensee Lake and Fisheries Administration to ensure you are fully informed.
Explore the depths of Lake Achensee
Additional services
- Tank refilling facilities at Lake Achensee: The Hotel Post am See in Pertisau offers refilling facilities for compressed air and Nitrox.
- Diving permits: Diving in Lake Achensee is only permitted with a valid diving permit (licence), which you can obtain from 1 April to 30 November each year.
Freedive Schnupperkurs
Rental options
Professional diving equipment is available to hire from the Hotel Post am See in Pertisau and from the diving school “Tauchen in Tirol”. When you bring your own equipment, make sure that it is suitable for cold-water diving.
