The coastline that stretches from Helsingborg (just a 10-minute ferry ride from the famous Elsinore Castle of Shakespeare’s Hamlet) and up to Gothenburg is lined with a mix of dramatic rocky coastline, rolling, wooded hills and quaint little towns. The Kullen peninsula (or Kullaberg in Swedish) offers excellent scuba diving, and the whole northern tip of the peninsula is a marine sanctuary.
Scuba Diving in Sweden
The coastline and the steep, rocky hills often make for fairly long approaches before you reach the coastline, as you must often park your car at the top of hills and then haul your gear down a path or a set of steps to get to the water. But sites are well worth the effort. Small jetties, with ladders leading into the water, ease entry in many places. Depths are anywhere from 30 feet/10 meters and up to 100 feet/30 meters, and visibility can be quite good, often in the 30-60 feet/10-20 meter range. The cooler months generally offer better visibility, as there is less plankton in the water, but of course the water is also colder. July and August are best if you’re looking for the warmest water; go in March or April for the best visibility. May is a good shoulder month, when the weather can be warm and the water begins to heat up, but the plankton growth has yet to set in.
The rocky shore offers habitats to plentiful marine wildlife, and you’ll often spot trout, salmon and cod. Lobsters are abundant and grow quite large, but don’t be tempted to grab one or two for dinner, as they are protected. There’s no fishing allowed in the marine sanctuary, and the local coast guard is quite strict.
Divers can also see spotted seals here, particularly in the cooler months. If you venture out a bit from the coast, you may also be lucky enough to spot groups of small-spotted catsharks, which are common in these waters.
Accommodation is abundant in the area, with numerous small coastal hotels and B&Bs in the many picturesque towns that line the coast. Public transport is somewhat cumbersome though, especially with dive gear, so a rental is recommended. Alternately, you can contact one of the local dive centers and join a weekly trip, saving yourself the trouble of hauling your own gear.
