In The News - An Unusual Place to Swim and Dive

Though we are taking an in-depth look at France this month, the news invites curious travelers to look beyond the beauty of France to neighboring European countries. Sometimes we forget that the ocean isn't the only place to dive and snorkel, but many lakes offer a unique diving experience. Austria may have one of the most unique annual dive experiences available. 

In Tragöß, Austria, the local Grüner See (Green Lake) doubles in size in the spring due to the snow melt from the nearby Hochschwab Mountains. The lake expands from about 450 feet to 750 feet. The crystal clear waters overtake the surrounding area, including the pastoral Green Lake Park.  

Bridges, benches and even the still blooming Alpine flowers are engulfed by the water, turning this quaint little park into a diver’s wonderland.

The lake grows from roughly 3 feet deep to as much as 37 feet deep at the height of the runoff, usually around June, making it an ideal spot for divers. From mid-May to mid-July, divers come from all around to take the plunge, swimming along park trails with, if you can believe it, the local trout.   

Divers who come to the lake must be pre-certified. There is absolutely no on-site certifications available. You can explore the watery park independently or join a guided group dive. Special classes such as underwater photography and underwater biology are also offered with advanced registration. Considering the snow-born source, divers should come prepared for cold water; the typical lake temperature ranges from 39° to 45° Fahrenheit.

For temperature comfort most of the divers find that a wetsuit is a must. They are made from foamed neoprene, warm and are very buoyant, helping divers stay afloat, and for this reason divers need to calculate the need for extra weight based on the thickness of their suit to achieve neutral buoyancy underwater. At the same time, the suit loses buoyancy and thermal protection as the bubbles in the neoprene are compressed at depth

As soon as midsummer sets in, the lake starts to recede. At that point, visitors can once again take to the trails in shoes, at least until spring returns and the lake once again takes ahold of the surrounding areas. 

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you get there and if you want to stay in comfort at the very best price we can help. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com

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