Denmark is a country of water and seas. Wherever you go, you will somehow come across water. So if you become seasick on a ship or can’t swim, it’s high time to do something about it. Get some medication and find a pool to learn to swim in. Swimming in the sea is not really as pleasant as other water activities in Denmark, as the water is cold all year round. But scuba and wreck diving is an experience you will never ever forget in your life.
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There are no coral reefs or colourful underwater fauna and flora; you most definitely won’t encounter tropical fish with radiant colours. This is not typical of Scandinavia. Instead, you will go through a journey that can be found nowhere around tropical islands.
Seeing wrecked ships underwater is only one part of the water activities in Denmark. They are definitely worth a little effort and a wet swimsuit. Let’s take a look at what you can enjoy…
Water activities in Denmark: Sunbathing
Some don’t spend a minute on the sand and dive into the water as soon as they arrive at the beach. Some others are sunbathing fans. This type of person rarely go into the water and prefer a relaxing time, lying on the beach, getting a suntan and enjoying music.
Unfortunately, the first type has very little to do here, as the water temperature is really low. The highest it can get is usually 20 degrees in Celsius. So instead, sunbathers can have an awesome time.
The set of beaches is located along all Danish coastline. Because of cold weather, the beach rest means tanning and relaxation. The northern and east coasts of island Zealand, the resort city of Kerteminde on island Fyn, resort settlement Skagen and a southern part of island Bornholm are considered the most suitable places for beach-goers.
Before you get ready for a trip to the beach, you should be prepared for unusual traditions. For example, Danes usually have free behaviour, and you will very often see them sunbathing in nothing . . . meaning wearing no clothes or swimsuits. If you feel uncomfortable with this phenomenon, you should check in advance the style of the beach you’re headed to. Remember that there are a lot of beaches where nudity is not limited to several people only. The best season for sunbathing is the end of July and August.
Water activities in Denmark: Scuba Diving
When speaking about the favourite activities of Danes, it is impossible to ignore the sea. Danes are a nation strongly connected to their nature. And considering the fact that Denmark is surrounded by water from almost all sides, it is understandable why Danes are natural water lovers.
The sea is probably in their genes as 21st century Danes are very similar to their ancestors, Vikings, who were known as excellent sailors. Vikings were masters of shipbuilding and the sea.
After reviewing their history, it becomes clear that Denmark is one of the best countries in the world for scuba diving. Danes are very fond of scuba diving. The numbers prove it. There are 20,000 certified scuba divers, and 7000 have membership in the Danish Sportsdivers Federation.
Divers should be careful about the weather. If you are lucky, you can have a 1-8 metres visibility in the open sea. However, bad weather can result in only several centimetres of visibility, which can cause some life-worthy problems. Also, keep in mind that Danish scuba diving is in cold water, which means if you have a drysuit, it’s high time to use it in Denmark.
If you are not searching for something extreme and prefer freshwater diving instead, plan your vacation near the Baltic sea.
Water activities in Denmark: Wreck diving
Besides a water-loving gene, Vikings have left several wrecked ships for their descendants. Current Danes use this advantage for tourism, especially among scuba divers.
Wreck diving is one of the best water activities in Denmark, however, is entirely a new experience. There are so many wrecked ships in Denmark that you might even be alone in the territory. So instead, use your time and explore the remnants of Viking ships, or more specifically, their remnants.
There are very few areas where the access of divers is restricted. However, although those places are very few in the whole country, it will be safer if you check the exact locations from the Danish Sportsdivers before heading into the water.
Numbers tell astonishing facts. There are almost 5000 wrecked ships around Denmark. If you are diving in a not-so-popular site, you might as well discover a new wrecked vessel. You might also encounter comparingly newer wrecks dating back to WWI or even more recent times.
Water activities in Denmark: A few final notes before diving
Visibility here is 20 metres, and the depth of immersing is 40 metres. You don’t have the right to take something from the ships lying underwater for more than 100 years; it is illegal. You should also be extra careful because there are strong currents that may be rather dangerous in local coastal waters. Therefore, you should watch out when immersing in water too far away from the land or a boat.
