The beautiful Oslo fjord in Norway offers many exciting places for diving. This is well known for the local people, but not for the rest of the world. Some places are especially good. Around Drobak you can find stone corals. Also wrecks are available for sports divers there.
Photo. The beautiful Oslo Fjord hides big secrets - with the Oslo cities towns Aker brygge Akershus castle Sailboats at guest harbour Cruise ship (Number 062000-99#72, photographer Kurt Hamann / NTR - http://www.invanor.no/templates/Page.aspx?id=45053).
One the wrecks is D/S "Selma", which lies 17 metres under the surface. The wreck is from the Second World War. It is one of the most magnificent diving spots in the Oslo fjord. The ammunition boat sank in 1943. No one knows who destroyed the German ship.
The so called "the Wall, or the Jet of the Drobak, located in the area between Saetre in Hurum and Drobak, is Norway's most visited diving place. This is an artificial wall of stone built to prevent enemies in ships to sail through Drobak. To reach one of the best diving spots you need to take a boat out there.
Most of the 25 diving clubs in Oslo have their own boats, which they use regularly. There have bean some accidents. Last year 9 persons perished under diving in Norway. It is the highest amount during the 90`s. So far this year 4 persons have died in diving accidents.
In Accordance to the Norwegian national newspaper Aftenposten (30th August) the most exciting spots for diving are:
- The wreck from D/S "Selma": the cargo with ammunition is already exploded.
- Alvern brygge (harbour): also a wreck from a boat is located here.
- Svestad brygge (harbour): many wrecks from boats.
- The wreck of D/S "Edith": the ship for cargo and passengers sank after a collision with the British D/S "Oxford" straight north for Drobak in 1909.
- "The Wall" or "the Jet of Drobak": a wall with big stone blocks built under the Second World War.
- "Pumpehuset": a wall under water.
- "Helikopterplassen": here you experience diving down a high wall and watch the flourishing marine life.
- Skipshelle: remains from a German warship's cargo lays 20-30 metres under the surface.
- Stranden. A big cliff formation under the water and with unique marine life.
- Hulvik: wide spread marine life.
- Kjøvangen: flourishing marine life.
- Ramton; here you find a big steep mountain under the surface.
- Sjostrand Bad: courses for divers arrange here. Small wall below the surface.
- "Fornebuveggen": a fine long mountain wall.
Four big centres for diving offer diving courses in Oslo. They also arrange regularly tours out to the Oslo fjord. Everything here is well prepared with qualified instructors and necessary safety equipment.
Diving is almost without risk in controlled conditions. There is nothing like the Norwegian fjords, and none of them look the same. As the Norwegians claim, if you haven't seen one of their beautiful fjords, then you haven't seen Norway. But there are also many interesting things to see below the surface of the fjords. The Oslo fjord is an example of that. Here you can be the real fish in the water. And then you will get a taste of on unique adventure!
Stein Morten Lund, 30 August 2000
Additional information
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