Diving Saltstraumen in Norway: the world's most powerful tidal current
We love to holiday in Scandinavia and Norway is the number one spot.
Scuba diving in Norway certainly helps maintain that number one position, because diving in Norway is really very special. I find it very special when you stand looking out over the dark waters of a fjord and wonder what lies beneath the surface. It is then such a great surprise to see how much colour can be found there and how many special animals live there. Diving in Saltstraumen was certainly no exception here, what unique dives in strong currents we made here say!
What is Saltstraumen?
Saltstraumen is the world's most powerful tidal stream, located in Norway, a stone's throw from the city of Bodø. Every six hours, more than 400 million cubic metres of water is forced through a 3-kilometre narrow strait, reaching speeds of up to 22 knots (about 40 km/h). This enormous force creates impressive whirlpools and attracts not only divers, but also fishermen and nature lovers.
Saltstraumen in a nutshell
Where is it located?
Saltstraumen is located in northern Norway, about 30 kilometres from Bodø. There is a small airport, which you reach via a connection to Oslo or Copenhagen. Of course, you can also go by car. We took the motorhome on an epic road trip through Norway.
How deep is it?
The dive sites in Saltstraumen vary in depth, but you can count on dives between 20 and 25 metres. Those were the depths we dived and we dived three different sites in the Saltstraumen.
How is the visibility?
Visibility varies depending on currents and weather, but averages between 10 and 25 metres.
What is the water temperature?
Water temperatures range from around 4°C in winter to 12°C in summer, so a dry suit is essential.
Can you fill scuba tanks there?
Yes, there are filling stations nearby, including at Nord&Ne Dive shop.
Another thing to consider:
The strong currents make it necessary to dive with experienced guides. They know exactly when and where you can safely enter the water. We booked our dives with Nord&Ne, a dive shop with extensive experience.
What will you see while diving in Saltstraumen?
Saltstraumen's underwater world is breathtaking. You will see jagged rock formations, fields of waving seaweed and rich marine life. Highlights include the colourful nudibranches and the iconic wolffish. You will also encounter large schools of cod, pollock and even halibut. The bottom is full of life, from tiny crabs to impressive anemones. We could not believe our eyes at seeing so much life on the square metre.
We really wanted to see the sea wolves and at Nord&Ne they knew how to find them very precisely. They do research on the sea wolves and try to track the pairs specifically.
Diving in strong currents: an adventure
Diving in Saltstraumen is a unique experience, but not without its challenges. The current is extremely powerful, so you need expert guides to accompany you. Independent diving is not an option here.
The guides of Nord&Ne Dive Resort, have years of experience and know exactly how to dive safely in these conditions.
You need a dry suit and the necessary experience to dive in Norway. The currents are not only powerful but also restless. You may find that the current pushes up or down against the rocks so you need to be really comfortable in your dry suit. Experience of diving at depth is also wise, the dives we made were all deeper than 20-25 metres.
Diving in Saltstraumen with Nord&Ne, diveshop in Norway
Nord&Ne has a beautiful house reef, accessible via stairs, where you can get acquainted with the current in a gentle way. For more variety in diving, their boat - a RIB with room for about 6 divers - takes you to different locations in the Saltstraumen. Another popular entry point is a sheltered beach, where you can don your equipment in peace. You then swim ‘around the corner’ into the current, offering a spectacular experience.
We really became fans and actually wanted to do more dives. Unfortunately, the weather forecast for the following days became very bad, including a big storm and there was no time to wait for that. We had to travel on again anyway.
Diving in Saltstraumen is again on our wish list of dives in the future. We will definitely drive that way again, as we are far from done diving there!
Other activities in the area
Besides diving, the Saltstraumen area has a lot to offer:
- Hiking: Take a hike to the surrounding mountains for breathtaking views of the fjords.
- Wildlife tours: Go on a safari to spot sea eagles and other wildlife.
- Boat trips: Explore the fjords from the water and experience the power of the currents up close.
Where to stay?
We stayed in our motorhome at the campsite near Saltstraumen. The campsite has good facilities and is a few minutes' drive from the main dive sites. If you prefer something different, there are also cabins and hotels nearby.
