The Masurian Lakeland, or Masurian Lake District of northeast Poland is home to more than two thousand lakes. Currently in the running for inclusion on the list of the new seven wonders of nature, this region is a magnificent place for diving year round. Let’s take a closer look.
The Masurian Lakes
The Lakeland extends westward from the Poland-Lithuania border all the way to the lower Vistula River. Occupying around 52,000 square kilometers, this region’s lakes are well-connected with one another via a system of canals and rivers that attract watersports enthusiasts and nature lovers from all over the world. Connected to the Baltic Sea via the 18th century Masurian Canal, the lakes were formed during the Pleistocene ice age. Ice is still an important part of the lakes’ annual cycle; they are normally frozen from December until the end of April, making ice diving a very popular pastime. During the springtime, runoff keeps the water chilly and causes reduced visibility, and during the summer, the first few meters of water warm up. In summer, above this thermocline, visibility tends to be poor; during the winter months, the water clarifies. Depending on the season and which lake you are diving in, expect visibility to be anywhere from one to fifteen meters.
Most of the lakes offer areas suitable for all divers to explore, and most feature depths between ten and seventy meters, although Hańcza Lake is a stunning 108 meters deep. With incredible geologic features such as massive boulders and channels carved by the movement of the glaciers that formed them, these lakes are simply incredible. You’ll find a number of intriguing freshwater fish here, including several different species of whitefish, lake trout, a few different species of minnows, and others; crayfish represent the crustacean family, and freshwater snails can be found at some locations.
There are some hazards you should be aware of while diving these lakes. Boat traffic is common, and can range from almost silent sailboats to fast moving speedboats and power yachts. As the lakes have been fished extensively, there are nets in some areas; be sure to dive with a flag, and carry a sharp knife in order to prevent accidents.
You can dive in most of these lakes, which are easy to access from shore, and local dive clubs offer airfills, nitrox, and trimix, plus they have a buddy finder service that enables travelers to pair up with local divers who are more than happy to show the way to their favorite spots. Diving here tends to be at your own risk; be sure you are properly trained and equipped, and be sure you bring a drysuit no matter what time of year it is. While lake temperatures above thermoclines can be 16-22 degrees Celsius during the summer, the temperature quickly drops to an average of 4 to 8 degrees Celsius in most lakes.
With some preparation in advance, and with the help of local dive operators, diving Poland’s Masurian Lakes is an excellent way to experience an entirely different kind of diving than you may be accustomed to. Remember to spend some time topside too – there are countless attractions, both natural and cultural, which may very well make you wish your Polish vacation could last just a bit longer.