Trondelag dive sites

Trondheim Fjord contains several World War Two era wrecks from the German occupation of Norway between 1940 and 1945. Trondheim served as a major German naval base, and several vessels were lost to Allied air attacks and naval operations. Diveable wrecks include supply vessels and naval escorts at recreational and technical depths. Some of the most intact wrecks lie in the deeper sections of the fjord and require technical diving qualifications. The historical significance of these wrecks is substantial, and they are protected under Norwegian cultural heritage law, meaning removal of artifacts is prohibited.

Wreck diving in Trondheim Fjord requires a drysuit due to water temperatures ranging from 4 to 14 degrees Celsius. Undergarments rated for the temperature, dry gloves or thick wet gloves, and a hood are essential. Twin tank configurations are standard for deeper wrecks, and stage bottles for decompression are common on technical dives. Powerful primary and backup lights are necessary, as the fjord depths receive limited natural light even in summer. Surface marker buoys are required. Most divers carry redundant breathing systems. Dive operators in Trondheim provide tank fills and can arrange equipment rental for visiting divers.

The diving season in Trondheim runs from May through September, with the best conditions typically in June through August. During these months, water temperatures in the upper layers reach 10 to 14 degrees Celsius, and the extended daylight of the Norwegian summer provides surface light well into the evening. Visibility is variable and influenced by plankton blooms and meltwater, ranging from 5 to 15 metres. Spring plankton blooms in April and May can reduce visibility significantly. Autumn diving in September and October offers improving visibility as plankton subsides but cooling temperatures.