When you think of Switzerland, scuba diving might not be the very first thing to come to mind; however, in many of the nation’s regions, diving is extremely popular. Whether you’re looking for some great diving off the beaten path or if you’re planning a trip to Switzerland for sightseeing, consider spending some time in the Bern – Wallis region, where you’ll find more than fifty dive sites. Here’s a brief overview.
Thuner See (Lake Thun)
By far one of Switzerland’s most popular diving destinations, Lake Thun (also known as Thuner See or Thunersee) is a magnificent alpine lake located in the Bernese Oberland. Named for the city of Thun, which is located on its northern shore, this vast lake encompasses a surface area of approximately 48.3 square kilometers. Passenger ships and fishing boats travel across the lake.
While Thuner See boasts maximum depth at 217 meters, most dive sites there average 20 meters. The deepest is Fischbalme, where you’ll find some interesting artifacts including a sunken bicycle that’s fun to pose with. While maximum depth here is about 90 meters, most divers stick to the shallows where light plays across rock formations and fish are plentiful.
The shallowest of Thunersee’s dive sites is Aarebecken, which is located near Thunerhof Park. Maximum depth here is just 15 meters, and the site is a favorite with locals who are learning to dive. Like most of Thuner See’s other dive sites, Aarebecken is accessible from shore.
Bieler See (Lake Biel)
Bieler See (also known as Lake Biel, Lac de Bienne, and Bielersee) is another very large lake; its surface area is about 39.3 square kilometers. There are several fantastic dive sites here; while maximum depth is 74 meters, most divers prefer to remain within recreational limits as the majority of the lake’s aquatic life and geologic features are located at depths no greater than about 20 to 30 meters.
La Fenalet
La Fenalet at La Falaise Bikini is one of Bern-Wallis best technical dive sites. This site features a rugged underwater wall covered with freshwater mussels. Fish and other aquatic animals including perch and crayfish are abundant, particularly in the shallow section, which offers good visibility most of the time and which is an excellent area for working on underwater photography skills. The deep cliff begins at a depth of about 30 meters and drops away to the lake’s bottom, which is at a depth of about 200 meters.
Just a short distance from La Fenalet lies La Croix (The Cross.) This site has a nice shallow section similar to what you’ll find at La Fenalet, and the edge of the underwater cliff here is marked with a cross at a depth of just over 41 meters.
These are just a few of the many fantastic sites you’ll find throughout Switzerland’s Bern-Wallis region. Watch for European Eels, Shad, Brown Trout, Bream, and other freshwater fish as you, and do keep in mind that all these sites are at high altitudes. Lodging is abundant in this region, and there is plenty of hiking to do, along with other topside attractions that are certain to keep you well occupied during surface intervals.