Norway

Country Name: Kingdom of Norway

Capital City: Oslo

Population: Approximately 5.5 million (2024 est.)

Official Language: Norwegian (Bokmål and Nynorsk); Sami is also recognized as a minority language.

Currency: Norwegian Krone (NOK)

Time Zone: Central European Time (CET)

Aerial view of coastal village surrounded by mountains
Aerial view of coastal islands connected by bridges
Fjord with waterfall surrounded by snow-capped mountains
Snowy mountain peaks overlooking a scenic waterfront village

Diving Overview

Norway offers unique diving experiences, characterized by its cold waters, abundant marine life, and dramatic underwater landscapes. The country’s extensive coastline and fjords provide diverse dive sites, including wrecks, kelp forests, and rich marine biodiversity.

  • Number of Dive Sites: Over 100. Numerous dive sites along the extensive coastline and fjords.
  • Types of Diving: Wreck, reef, kelp forest, and cold-water diving.
  • Marine Biodiversity Highlights: Sea anemones, kelp forests, cold-water corals, various species of fish, crabs, lobsters, and occasionally whales and seals.
  • Average Water Temperatures: 4-15°C (39-59°F)
  • Visibility Range: 10-30 meters (33-98 feet)

Important Information

Optimal Dive Seasons

The best diving conditions are typically from May to September, when the waters are warmer and visibility is high.

Major Airports

Oslo Gardermoen Airport, Bergen Flesland Airport, Stavanger Airport, Trondheim Airport

The Travel Tip

A dry suit is recommended for diving in Norway due to the cold water temperatures, even in summer.

Weather Patterns

Norway has a diverse climate with coastal areas experiencing mild winters and cool summers due to the Gulf Stream, while inland areas have colder winters and warmer summers.

Internal Transportation

Options include an extensive network of domestic flights, trains, buses, ferries, and a well-maintained road system.

Attractions

Major attractions include the fjords of Western Norway, the Northern Lights in Tromsø, the historic city of Bergen, the cultural and modern capital Oslo, and the scenic railway journeys like the Flåm Railway.

Top Dive Regions

Norway offers some of the most unique and thrilling diving experiences in the world, with its cold, clear waters and diverse underwater landscapes. The Lofoten Islands are renowned for their dramatic underwater scenery, including kelp forests, rocky reefs, and a rich variety of marine life, making them a favorite among divers. Narvik is famous for its historical World War II wrecks, providing a fascinating glimpse into history for wreck diving enthusiasts. Saltstraumen, known for having one of the strongest tidal currents globally, offers exhilarating drift dives and a vibrant marine ecosystem teeming with life. Lastly, the Oslofjord provides easily accessible dive sites, including wrecks and kelp forests, making it a popular destination for both local and visiting divers year-round. These locations collectively highlight the diverse and rich underwater environments that Norway has to offer.

Lofoten Islands

Known for their dramatic underwater landscapes, abundant marine life, and excellent visibility.

Narvik

Famous for its historical World War II wrecks, providing unique underwater exploration opportunities.

Saltstraumen

Renowned for having one of the strongest tidal currents in the world, offering thrilling drift dives and a rich marine ecosystem.

Oslofjord

Offers a variety of dive sites including wrecks and kelp forests, accessible year-round.

Marine Life

Norway’s cold and nutrient-rich waters are home to a remarkable diversity of marine life, offering unique experiences for divers and marine enthusiasts. The coastal waters and fjords are teeming with various species of fish, such as cod, haddock, and mackerel, which thrive in these environments. The kelp forests provide habitats for numerous invertebrates, including sea urchins, starfish, and crabs. Cold-water corals, such as Lophelia pertusa, can be found in deeper waters, forming complex reef structures that support a variety of marine organisms. Marine mammals, including seals, porpoises, and occasionally orcas and whales, are also commonly spotted along the coast. In addition, Norway’s waters are home to unique species such as the wolffish and the elusive Greenland shark, adding to the rich biodiversity that makes Norway a fascinating destination for underwater exploration.

Common Species: Cod, haddock, mackerel, sea urchins, starfish, crabs, Lophelia pertusa (cold-water coral), seals, porpoises, orcas, whales, wolffish, and Greenland sharks.

Seasonal Highlights: Orcas and humpback whales are commonly seen during their winter migration (November to January), while spring and summer (May to August) offer the best conditions for encountering a variety of fish species and vibrant kelp forests.