Diving in Gulen, Norway

DIVING CONDITIONS AND EQUIPMENT

Diving experience

Gulen offers diving for all levels of experience, from an easy dive just outside the dive centre to Trimix diving on one of the many wrecks in the area.

Diving conditions

The visibility is at its best during autumn and winter time reaching a staggering 40+ metres. During the spring and summer (April-July) there are several algae blooms which make the visibility more unpredictable (5-30 metres).

The water temperatures are highest in August/September when you can experience bathing temperatures at 20-22°C, whilst it drops to 10-15°C at depth. In the winter, water temperature is 3-8°C

Weather conditions

In the summer (June-August) temperatures on the west coast can reach 27-28°C, but may occasionally drop as low as 5°C during the night. In the winter (November-March) the 24-hour average is 2-4°C with temperatures rarely dropping below -10°C.

Recommended equipment

Most Norwegians dive with dry suits all year round for more comfort at depth where the water temperatures normally are colder than at the surface. We would not recommend a semi-dry unless you mainly do short dives and feel comfortable with it at lower temperatures (se more about diving conditions above).

The most important recommendations are:

Summer:

• 7mm Semi-dry or dry suit with thermal clothing (e.g. thinsulate)
• good quality gloves (3 fingers, 5-7mm)
• good torch

Winter:

• dry suit
• good thermal clothing (e.g. thinsulate)
• good quality gloves (3 fingers, 5-7mm) or dry gloves
• environmental sealed regulators (first and second stage)
• good torch

Service and spare parts

There are limited facilities available for servicing your equipment. You should consider bringing the following spare parts:

• backup mask and/or mask strap
• fin strap
• knife strap
• mouth piece (for the regulators)

To service/maintain your equipment during the trip you should consider bringing:

• anti-fog solution
• talcum powder
• zipper lubricant or paraffin wax (not beeswax during winter time)
• any specialised tools needed to service/maintain your equipment

Equipment rental

To use diving equipment that you are familiar with is important for a safe and relaxed holiday. Unfortunately, most dive centres tend to have fairly basic rental equipment and you have no guarantee that suits and stab jackets fit you.

The best solution is to bring your own equipment, but in case you need to rent we would strongly recommend you do so at your local dive shop. This way you can test it and make sure everything fits and works before you start your trip.

However, if you prefer to rent equipment at the destination, please contact us for availability and rates.