Discover the adventurous underwater world of the Oosterschelde!

From a freezing 4°C in the depths of winter to an almost tropical 20°C in the height of summer: the water temperature in the Oosterschelde fluctuates considerably. This calls for proper preparation and the right wetsuit! But whether it’s warm or cold, the real boss underwater is the tide. The currents change diving conditions by the hour, making tight planning crucial. An up-to-date tide table is therefore indispensable for determining when the water is calm and you can safely go underwater.

Here's what you'll need for open-water diving in the Oosterschelde:

• A 7 mm wetsuit (to keep you warm);
• Snorkel
• Fins
• Regulator
• BCD
• Diving tank
• Mask

Yes. Because this is a dynamic tidal waterway, currents play a major role. Even at the specially selected, calm locations for beginners, you really need to know what you’re doing. It is therefore irresponsible to cross the dike without a certification (at least Open Water Diver).

Visibility in the Oosterschelde is constantly changing. On average, you can expect excellent visibility of about 2 to 5 meters, but on absolutely perfect days (in calm weather and around the tide change), it can easily reach up to 10 meters! Sometimes the water is a bit “greener” due to algal blooms in early summer, or a bit murkier after a heavy storm because the seabed gets churned up. But don’t worry: with a good dive light in hand, the bright colors of the anemones and the claws of the lobsters always stand out perfectly!