Explore the Baltic Below the Surface

The waters around northern Öland are among the best diving spots in the Swedish Baltic — sandy bottoms, good water circulation, and centuries of maritime history have left an exceptional underwater landscape. Long Island Divers in Byxelkrok is the main dive operator on the island, offering guided wreck dives, adventure dives, and a full dive school aboard their well-equipped dive vessel Midland.

The Kalmar Strait has been a busy shipping lane for over 400 years, and the cold, low-salinity Baltic water preserves wooden wrecks remarkably well. Wreck dives range from accessible sport-diving depths to more challenging sites for advanced divers. For nature diving, the waters around Blå Jungfrun (Blue Maiden island) feature dramatic underwater rock formations sometimes called “the sunken cathedrals.”

Practical Details

Distance from the house: ~40 km north to Byxelkrok (Long Island Divers)
Operator: Long Island Divers, Byxelkrok
Season: Summer through October — autumn offers the clearest visibility
Certification: NAUI and CMAS standards. Courses available for beginners.
Contact: Via longislanddivers.com

For mainland diving, RIB Diving Services in Kalmar (~20 min from the Öland bridge) is a PADI Dive Center offering courses, dive trips, equipment, and air fills including Nitrox.

Good to Know

No certification? Long Island Divers offers a dive school — ask about introductory dives.
Autumn is peak season for visibility — the water clears significantly after the summer algae bloom.
Some wreck sites are protected — only certified operators are permitted to dive them.
The Baltic is cold even in summer — dry suits or thick wetsuits are standard. Equipment rental is typically available through the operator.
Contact the operator directly for pricing and scheduling — rates are not listed online.

Byxelkrok is on Öland’s northern tip — combine a dive day with a visit to Trollskogen (enchanted forest) or lunch in the harbor village.

Websites: longislanddivers.com | RIB Diving (PADI)