Diving at Gl. Ålbo
Discover the Little Belt beneath the surface
Beneath the surface at Gl. Ålbo, the Little Belt opens up as a living landscape of depth, currents, and colors. Here, clear waters meet powerful currents, creating some of Denmark’s most extraordinary diving experiences – shaped by nature’s forces over thousands of years.
Right outside the campsite, a varied underwater environment awaits, with changing depths, seabeds, and current conditions. The seabed is covered with sea anemones, sponges, and starfish, while crabs and fish move elegantly among cracks and the large stone reefs. With a bit of luck, the silence is broken by a porpoise or a seal gliding by – above or below the water’s surface.
Diving at Gl. Ålbo is easily accessible and close at hand. Excellent facilities and thoughtful services make it easy to enter the water, whether you dive directly from the pier, the beach, or from a boat.
World-class diving – all year round
The Little Belt offers excellent diving experiences throughout the year. Visibility varies with the seasons, but spring and autumn are particularly popular among divers. The currents in the Belt create optimal conditions for a rich variety of plants and wildlife, making each dive a unique experience.
Opportunities include:
- Drift dives
- Nature and photo dives
- Calm coastal dives
- Training and practice dives
Diving year-round
When is the best time to take the plunge into the Little Belt? At Gl. Ålbo, diving is possible all year, and each season has its own charm.
- April & May – clear and fresh
The water is still cool (5–12 °C), but with a drysuit, a spring dive becomes an unforgettable experience. Visibility is often crystal clear, the water calm, and the currents bring abundant life to the reefs. - June to August – summer and calm
Now it becomes more comfortable. Water temperatures can reach up to 18 °C, especially in the shallow coastal areas. Visibility varies – some days nearly 10 meters, other days more mysterious. In return, there are plenty of fish and relaxed summer dives. - September & October – calm and intense
The season is drawing to a close, but autumn often offers the best mix of calm, visibility, and experience. The water slowly cools, and the quiet atmosphere makes each dive particularly intense.
Tip: The area around Gl. Ålbo is among the most current-rich in Denmark – it requires respect but also ensures incredible biodiversity due to the high water turnover. Porpoises are frequent visitors.
Facilities & Filling Station
The perfect base for divers
At Gl. Ålbo, everything is in place for an excellent diving experience – whether you dive alone, with family, friends, or your dive club. It’s easy and safe to dive directly from the beach, the pier, or by boat.
As a diver, you have access to:
- Unlimited diving on our “house reef”
- Short distance from accommodation to water
- Air filling station with 850 L/min, connected to an air bank with approx. 300,000 L of air – no waiting time (currently no mixed gases available)
- OXY-BOX and AED defibrillator available 24/7
- Rinse and preparation platform at the water’s edge with freshwater
- Dive maps and live current forecasts on-site
- Dive equipment sales (SAVE-A-DIVE)
- Dive equipment rental (we are a 100% MARES Resort Center)
- Guided dives and trial dives with local dive instructors
- Rental boats for easy access to other exciting dive sites in the area
- Various accommodation options and seminar rooms – a complete solution for divers
Local knowledge, experience, and respect for the sea
The camp manager at Gl. Ålbo Camping is an active diver, underwater photographer, and PADI Course Director, sharing over 25 years of experience diving in the Little Belt. His many videos and photos from beneath the surface provide a unique insight into the rich underwater life thriving here due to the depth and currents.
We emphasize safety, education, and respect for nature, and gladly share our local knowledge on:
- Best entry and exit points
- Current conditions and the “best” diving times
- Seasonal underwater experiences
The House Reef – a living underwater universe
The House Reef at Gl. Ålbo is a true diver’s paradise. In addition to the Little Belt’s unique underwater landscape, our 3,000 m³ of stone reefs, spread across five reefs, create a true underwater oasis. Depths range from 5 meters at the pier to over 40 meters, where cracks, stones, and reefs form a home for a rich and colorful marine life.
Here, sea anemones, sponges, starfish, lobsters, and fish move elegantly among the reefs, while the occasionally strong currents bring new life and nutrients to the area.
The House Reef is easily accessible and offers both beginners and experienced divers the opportunity to explore the magical underwater world of the Little Belt. Diving on the House Reef is free for overnight guests, allowing you to enjoy the full spectacle of life and color beneath the water at no extra cost.
The deepest point in the inner Danish waters
Nowhere else in Denmark is there deeper water so close to land as at Gl. Ålbo. Here you’ll find Maren’s Hole, which at approximately 86 meters is the deepest point in the inner Danish waters.
We’re happy to share the local story of Maren the ferry woman – strong as a bear – and the butcher, who according to legend couldn’t keep his hands to himself and was thrown overboard, never to return. These local tales give diving at Gl. Ålbo both character and depth – even above the water.
Marine Nature National Park in the Little Belt
The Little Belt has been designated a future Marine Nature National Park, highlighting the area’s unique nature and marine life. The park aims to protect and strengthen the marine environment while continuing to create opportunities for nature experiences – including underwater.
For divers, this means an even greater focus on biodiversity, education, and responsible diving. Today, Gl. Ålbo is a leading data hotspot for the already established Nature Park Little Belt. We are a business partner and contribute to preserving the Little Belt as one of Denmark’s most exciting and vibrant marine areas.
Guided dive – discover the secrets of the Little Belt
Join a guided dive, exclusively for our overnight guests, and experience the Little Belt’s underwater world up close. Our experienced instructors lead you through reefs and cracks, where colorful seabeds, sea anemones, and schools of fish create a lively, ever-changing landscape.
Along the way, the instructor shares local stories and tips, allowing you to safely explore currents, depths, and hidden corners typically seen only by the most experienced divers. A guided dive is a unique experience for both beginners seeking a safe and educational introduction and experienced divers eager to discover new sides of the Little Belt.
Trial dive – experience the underwater world
Never tried diving before? At Gl. Ålbo, we offer trial dives for beginners, exclusively for our overnight guests, allowing you to safely experience the Little Belt’s underwater life under expert guidance.
Our instructors guide you through your first dives, teach basic techniques and safety, and ensure the experience is both fun and unforgettable. A trial dive is perfect for those who want a taste of diving without previous experience.
Dive equipment rental – explore the Little Belt with top equipment
At Gl. Ålbo, you can rent world-class dive equipment. As a MARES DIVE RESORT, we provide the newest and best gear from one of the world’s leading manufacturers, so you can focus on the underwater experience.
The rental is exclusively for our overnight guests, and the equipment is always updated and ready to use. Please note that drysuits are not included in the rental, so remember to bring your own if needed.
With the right equipment, you can safely and comfortably explore hidden reefs, colorful seabeds, and rich marine life, making the Little Belt one of Denmark’s most exciting diving areas.
Diving for Groups and Clubs
Gl. Ålbo Camping is perfect for dive clubs and larger groups. We have extensive experience in hosting groups and provide facilities that make diving trips easy and comfortable – from gear storage and preparation to boat rental.
We offer a variety of accommodation options suitable for both small and large groups, as well as a seminar/meeting room, ideal for lectures, courses, or dive planning. Here, you have the perfect setting for a safe, educational, and unforgettable underwater experience.
Boat Rental for Divers
At Gl. Ålbo, divers can rent sturdy and safe boats that provide direct access to the best diving spots in the Little Belt. The boats have space for both gear and divers and are easy to handle, allowing you to focus fully on the underwater experience. Perfect for clubs and private groups.
Day guests at Gl. Ålbo
Not an overnight guest but still want to experience the Little Belt’s underwater world? We welcome day guests to visit the campsite and enjoy its facilities, beach, and nature.
As a day guest, you are welcome to use all our facilities such as toilets, showers, grill stations, the beach area, and rinse areas. It is also possible to visit other guests at the campsite.
Please note that certain services, such as trial dives, guided dives, and dive equipment rental, are reserved for our overnight guests. Day guests can still enjoy the water, the area, and the beautiful nature – perfect for an active day at the Little Belt.
Departure Dive – one last dive
Make the most of your time with our Departure Dive. For 50 DKK, overnight guests can stay at the campsite after check-out and take one last independent dive in the Little Belt’s beautiful underwater world before heading home.
You can remain on-site and use our facilities such as toilets, showers, grill stations, the beach area, and rinse areas until 6:00 PM. This allows you to enjoy the water, colorful reefs, and abundant marine life one last time – a perfect conclusion to your diving adventure at Gl. Ålbo.
