Vestland dive sites

Gulen sits at the mouth of the Sognefjord, Norway's longest and deepest fjord, where nutrient-rich deep water mixes with shallower coastal waters. This creates ideal conditions for an extraordinary diversity of nudibranchs, with over 60 species documented in the area. The annual Nudibranch Safari held each February attracts macro photographers and marine biologists from across Europe and has helped establish Gulen as one of the continent's premier cold-water macro destinations.

A drysuit is absolutely essential for diving at Gulen. Water temperatures range from 5 degrees Celsius in winter to 15 degrees in summer, and dives can last 60 to 90 minutes when hunting for macro subjects. A heated undersuit or thick fleece layers are recommended for winter diving. The Gulen Dive Resort offers drysuit rental and drysuit training courses for divers who want to learn before their trip.

Gulen is approximately a two-hour drive north from Bergen, following the E39 highway and then taking a ferry across the Sognefjord. The Gulen Dive Resort provides detailed driving directions and can help arrange transfers from Bergen airport. Bergen is well connected by international flights. Some divers also drive from Oslo, which takes approximately seven hours.

Naeroyfjord receives large volumes of glacial meltwater from surrounding mountains, creating a distinct freshwater layer that sits on top of the denser saltwater below. The boundary between these layers, the halocline, typically sits between three and eight metres depending on season and rainfall. When you pass through it, visibility can change dramatically. The surface layer is often turbid with glacial silt giving milky green visibility of one to two metres, while below the halocline the saltwater can be surprisingly clear at ten to fifteen metres. The transition creates a shimmer effect that looks like an underwater mirage.

A drysuit with full thermal undergarments is mandatory. Water temperatures range from 4 degrees in winter to around 14 degrees at the surface in summer, but the deeper saline layer stays cold year-round at 6 to 8 degrees. Thick neoprene or dry gloves, a hood, and boots are essential. You should carry a powerful torch as the turbid surface layer blocks much of the available light. A dive computer with good backlight visibility is important since the murky layer can make it difficult to read instruments. Norwegian dive operators in the area provide full drysuit rental.