The first time I told my Croatian friend that I mostly dive in the Czech Republic, he burst out laughing. “But you don’t have a sea! What do you dive in, a pond?” His expression when I showed him photos of our quarries was priceless. The truth is, even without a coastline, the Czech Republic has dozens of places worth submerging your head underwater. Flooded quarries with crystal clear water, lakes teeming with life, and mysterious reservoir coves – our waters have their own charm and challenges that will test your diving skills differently than the Adriatic. Let’s take a look at places where you can enjoy great dives without needing a passport.
Best Locations for Beginners
Bořená Hora Quarry (Central Bohemia)
This flooded quarry in Central Bohemia is among the most attractive diving locations in our country, and for good reason. Where else in the Czech Republic could you explore a sunken helicopter? For divers, it offers:
- Depth up to 23 meters
- Visibility of 2 to 8 meters depending on conditions
- Interesting attractions like a personal and cargo car, and especially that helicopter!
- Great facilities including a restaurant
Bořená Hora is also popular for its easy water access and is ideal for divers who have basic training but are still gaining experience.
Horní Cerekev Quarry (Vysočina Region)
Who wouldn’t want to swim next to a five-meter wooden shark? This flooded quarry near the village of the same name in the Pelhřimov district offers:
- Maximum depth of 21 meters
- The clearest water in the entire Vysočina region
- Interesting underwater attractions – a sunken boat, a water sprite figure, and the aforementioned shark
The quarry is good for beginner divers too, but keep in mind that it gets quite busy in summer. Locals come here to swim because of the crystal-clear water, so on weekends you might have to navigate between recreational swimmers.
Liberec Diving Tower
Want to try diving for the first time or train in controlled conditions? In Liberec, you’ll find a unique diving tower:
- Depth up to 8.5 meters
- Possibility of diving all year round regardless of weather
- Ideal for training beginners
This tower, built in 2012 as part of a swimming pool complex, is a fantastic facility. You can try a dive in a controlled environment, learn how to equalize pressure in your ears, how to breathe properly, and how to move underwater. Once you master the basics here, you’ll be much more confident in natural settings. It’s also a great place for experienced divers who want to maintain their skills during winter.
Locations for Advanced Divers
Hranice Abyss (Olomouc Region)
This is not a place for amateurs, but it’s definitely worth mentioning – it’s the deepest flooded freshwater abyss in the world:
- Currently measured depth of 519.5 meters, but nobody knows where the actual bottom is
- Extremely challenging conditions that only the most experienced can handle
- Fascinating cave system with unique geology
Only professionals with extensive cave diving experience dive in the Hranice Abyss. For such a dive, you need special equipment, training, and permits. For the rest of us, this natural wonder is interesting even from the shore – it’s located in the Hůrky nature reserve near Teplice nad Bečvou and is worth visiting even without diving gear.
Slověnický Quarry near Lišov (South Bohemia)
This quarry near České Budějovice has one huge attraction – one of the largest underwater caissons in Europe:
- A caisson with two dry floors
- Technically interesting dive for more experienced divers
- Good visibility
- Interesting geological formations
Caissons were originally used in construction for working underwater without the need for diving equipment. The one in Slověnický Quarry is a fascinating technical monument worth exploring.
Výkleky Quarry (Olomouc Region)
This quarry is popular with both recreational swimmers and divers who are attracted by interesting underwater features:
- The wreck of a Tatra 12-3 car
- An underwater bus stop
- A memorial dedicated to divers who died tragically
- A guide line on the bottom for easier orientation
Výkleky is favored by intermediate divers. The quarry has good facilities, is easily accessible, and really has a lot to see. A great choice for weekend diving when you don’t want to deal with complicated logistics.
Specifics of Diving in Czech Waters
What to Wear and Bring
When you’re preparing to dive in Czech waters, you need slightly different equipment than in the sea:
- Wrap yourself well in a wetsuit – Our waters are no Caribbean. Temperatures range between 5-20°C depending on the season and depth:
- In summer near the surface, a 5-7mm wetsuit will do
- But if you want to go deeper or outside summer, you’ll suffer without a drysuit
- See and be seen – In our waters, visibility is often limited:
- A quality diving torch is mandatory equipment
- Always have a backup light (when the main one fails, the darkness is truly black)
- Get reflective strips or brightly colored elements for your gear – so your buddy can find you
- With lighter weights – In our freshwater, you don’t need as much lead as in the sea. You usually take 2-4 kg less than for sea diving.
When to Head Underwater
Sure, summer is the most popular time for diving in the Czech Republic. The water is around 20°C and everyone dives here. But you know that feeling when you arrive at a quarry and meet crowds of divers? That’s why I also like spring and autumn. Fewer people, often better visibility. And those who have a good drysuit can enjoy winter diving when the water becomes incredibly clear.
What to Watch Out For
I’ve done hundreds of dives in Czech waters, and there are a few things worth not underestimating:
- The buddy system isn’t an annoying rule – In our quarries, things can sometimes get tricky, and a partner can literally pull you out of trouble
- Quarry owners don’t like surprises – Find out in advance if the location requires permission; some places are even accessible only to organized groups
- Some places are like natural cathedrals – Respect restrictions in protected areas so we have something to admire for years to come
- Cold water can surprise you – Even in summer, you’ll often hit a cold water boundary (thermocline) a meter below the surface, where the temperature drops by 10°C – you need to be prepared for that
Other Interesting Diving Locations
Leštinka Quarry (Pardubice Region)
If you’re a fan of underwater fauna, Leštinka is the place for you:
- Ideal for observing freshwater fish such as carp, pike, or catfish
- Good diving facilities including the possibility of filling tanks
- Pleasant atmosphere with food available
Thanks to its rich fish population, it’s a great place for underwater photographers who want to capture life in Czech waters.
So, Where Shall We Go?
Isn’t it fascinating? Dozens of diving locations in the relatively small territory of the Czech Republic. Each with its own character. From flooded quarries created by human activity to natural lakes. From places ideal for first test dives to abysses where you can dive to extreme depths.
Sure, we don’t have coral reefs or World War II shipwrecks. But that doesn’t mean you can’t experience a proper diving adventure here. Plus, without traveling to the other end of the world and for a fraction of the price.
And if you’re just starting out? Find a good diving school and experience your first dive with an instructor who knows the local conditions. You’ll remember your first breath underwater for the rest of your life.