You might be surprised to learn that Sweden is home to tens of thousands of shipwrecks – and you might be even more astonished to learn that many of them are located inland. While an estimated 10,000 or so wrecks are known to lie beneath the surface of Sweden’s largest inland body of water, Lake Vanern, there are even more wrecks to discover just beneath the placid waters of lakes Vattern, Malaren, and Tingstade Trask. Let’s take a look.
Diving Sweden's Lakes - Lake Vattern
Lake Vattern is Sweden’s second largest lake and the sixth largest lake in all of Europe. This long, finger-shaped lake has a surface area of 1,912 kilometers; though its average depth is a manageable 41 meters, its maximum depth is 128 meters. Once a Baltic Sea bay, the lake gradually succumbed to the effects of land rise; though still connected to the Baltic via a controlled canal, it now contains fresh water and freshwater fish including Arctic char and an endemic species called Vattern char. Though there is supposedly a lake monster inhabiting Vattern, no sightings have been confirmed.
While there are many scenic sites and quite a few wrecks to explore at Lake Vattern, the most famous is probably the SAAB Lansen Airplane Wreck – an A32A fighter jet that crashed here in 1959. Lying beneath about 20 meters of water, this wreck sits upright and mostly intact – paint is still visible through the light coat of algae that covers it.
This magnificent lake has extremely clear water – in fact, it is said to be the world’s largest source of potable water. As a result, divers enjoy good visibility, which in turn allows for some great photo opps.
Diving Sweden's Lakes - Lake Malaren
Lake Malaren is Sweden’s third largest lake; with a surface area of 1,140 square kilometers and maximum depth at 64 meters, it is indeed impressive. The lake’s average depth is 13 meters, making it a fantastic destination even for newer divers. This lake was traversed by Vikings, as were most of the lakes you’ll see in Sweden today; ancient Viking settlements on the islands of Adelso and Bjorko are UNESCO world heritage sites, as is Lovon Island’s Drottningholm Palace. During the Viking age, Lake Malaren was a Baltic Sea bay; Viking ships used it to travel deep inland. The lake’s geology is fascinating, as are its aquatic animals.
There are many fantastic wrecks to see here, and new expeditions occur frequently. One recent discovery is that of a small ship believed to date back to 1699; nearby, researchers found two other wrecks, both made of wood, and both in remarkably good condition. This is one lake, you won’t want to miss diving in.
Exploring Sweden's Lakes - Tingstade Trask Lake
Sometimes referred to as Tingstade Trask Swamp for its surrounding wetlands, this little lake has a maximum depth of just 1.7 meters, making it much more suitable for snorkeling than for diving. Take a peek beneath the surface, and you’ll be amazed to find the remnants of a complete city including houses and square timber platforms. At least three ancient boats have been discovered here, including the Bulverket Boat, which is eight meters long, has a single mast, and has been dated to the 1130s.
While spending time underwater is a worthwhile goal, try to take at least a few hours to visit the many museums and historic sites near these amazing lakes. Due to land rise, many sites that were once shipwrecks have been unearthed on shore, and archaeologists have reconstructed numerous ships and structures that were once underwater. For a completely different kind of dive holiday, look no further – Sweden’s lakes are purely fascinating.