TRAVEL Dive into Europe: Denmark – Wrecks, Reefs, Kelp and Great Diving – by Peter Symes, Publisher, X-Ray Magazine
Denmark is where I was born, grew up, and learned to dive – and I still enjoy exploring its waters today. While I wouldn’t consider it a primary destina- tion for dive travel, it is a place that cer-
Baltic to the North Sea have been busy shipping lanes for millennia, and the seabed is strewn with wrecks from every era. The well-preserved Viking longships now displayed at the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde are famous examples, but finds range from Stone Age canoes to war wrecks and modern vessels and aircraft. It’s not all wrecks – there are also vibrant stone reefs car- peted with sea anemones, kelp forests, sponges, and abun- dant marine life. It is best to visit from late spring to early autumn. You can
tainly rewards those who may be visiting for other reasons – be it work, study, or holiday – and decide to bring their dive gear along or just rent some at a dive centre. And visit- ing Denmark, I can only warmly recommend. The country itself is a delight. Copenhagen, in particular,
is an intimate yet vibrant metropolis that consistently ranks among the world’s most liveable and happiest cities. It’s steeped in history, brim- ming with cultural events, and home to some of the world’s best restau- rants. The city is safe, relaxed, and easy to navigate, with modern, effi- cient public transport, pedestrian- friendly streets, and a superb network of cycle paths.
dive year-round, even in a wetsuit, but winter’s short days and grey skies are less inviting. In summer, the long days and “white nights” are magical, and the light around midsummer is soft and romantic. Copenhagen sits at the same latitude as Juneau, Alaska, but enjoys far milder weather, with summer daytime tempera- tures typically around 24°C (75°F). May and June are my personal favourites, as
there is little planktonic algae, which means excellent visibil- ity – up to 30 metres (100 feet) below the thermocline. July and August are also beautiful, though busier with tourists. With its rich history, vibrant culture, and unexpectedly re-
When it comes to diving, Denmark does not have the all- inclusive resorts you find in Southeast Asia or the Caribbean. Instead, it offers a network of friendly, well-run dive centres – mostly SSI or PADI affiliated – scattered across the coun- try. Many dive clubs, listed on the Danish Sportsdiver Fed- eration’s homepage, also welcome visiting divers. Renting equipment or joining local outings is straightforward and often a social experience. For those willing to explore, Danish waters are a surpris- ingly rich playground. This is an archipelago nation with an extensive coastline, and most of its seas are within recre- ational diving limits. The three Danish straits connecting the
warding diving, Denmark offers more than most visitors imagine. Copenhagen is Scandinavia’s largest air hub, with direct flights to about a dozen US cities, so getting here couldn’t be easier. It’s the perfect place to combine world-class culture, cui- sine, and sightseeing with memorable dives – whether joining local divers for a relaxed day trip, exploring storied wrecks, or discovering the rich marine life along Denmark’s varied coasts.
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