This dive site, Maria Loretto, located in the exclusive Loretto lido in Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, serves as an excellent training ground for divers. It features an array of artificial fixtures designed to enhance diving skills, including submerged carriages, buoyancy control playgrounds, tree trunks, and a practice platform at 3.5m deep. These structures also provide shelter and navigational points within the shallow waters of Wörthersee, creating an engaging underwater circuit for skill development.
The site is home to various freshwater fish species, with pike, sunfish, and rudd frequently observed utilizing the artificial shelters. In spring, the area is bustling with many young fish, indicating a healthy breeding ground. Divers might also encounter impressive catfish, sometimes reaching up to 1.5 meters in length, adding an exciting element to the marine life encounters.
The best time to visit Maria Loretto is likely spring through early autumn, when water temperatures are more comfortable and young fish are abundant. Its shallow depths and dedicated training features make it highly suitable for beginner divers and for practicing buoyancy skills. Both snorkelers and freedivers will find the site appealing due to its accessibility, shallow average depth, and interesting underwater structures and fish life, offering a unique freshwater diving experience.
