Sundhäuser See (Nordhausen)
The Sundhäuser See is a 60-hectare former gravel pit on the edge of Nordhausen in northern Thuringia, about 31 m deep, with a full-service dive base on the shore. Its trademark is 'Nordhusia', an underwater replica of the old imperial town with half-timbered houses, a church and figures, plus the dragon 'Sundi' and several art installations. Four boat wrecks – Charlotte I–III and the Galileo – lie between 9 and 23 m. The base quotes 10–15 m visibility and plenty of perch, pike, carp, eels and crayfish, with plants down to about 20 m.
Facts
- Region: Germany – Lakes & Quarries (North, West & East)
- Area: Thuringia
- Depth: 0–31 m
- Level: beginner
- Current: low
- Type: bay, wreck, night
- Coordinates: 51.4819, 10.81 (approximate)
- Highlights: underwater city 'Nordhusia' (half-timbered houses, church, figures), dragon 'Sundi', wreck Charlotte I (~14 m), wreck Charlotte II (~23 m), wreck Charlotte III cutter (~21 m), Galileo boat wreck (~9 m), 'Kunst im See' art installations, platforms at 5, 8 and 30 m, perch, pike, mirror carp, grass carp, European eel, rainbow trout, rudd, zander, Abramis brama, crayfish, visibility 10–15 m (base)
- Permit: Diving only after registering at Action Sport Nordhausen and staff approval, against a base-use fee (amount not published). Open April–October Mon–Fri 10–18, Sat 9–19, Sun 9–18; shorter hours November–March. Check current terms.
- Issuer / contact: Action Sport Nordhausen
- Phone: +49 3631 471272
- Email: info@actionsport-nordhausen.de
- Website: https://actionsport-nordhausen.de/
- Tips: Register at Action Sport Nordhausen (Uthleber Weg 27) before diving and sign the dive rules; the base fee includes toilets and parking. You confirm valid fitness to dive and at least Open Water certification; the logbook may be checked. Decompression dives only with technical training; a cold-water regulator is required and two separate first stages are recommended. Entry 1 (stairs and pontoon) leads to the buoyed platforms; Nordhusia lies on a 255° bearing and Charlotte II on 195° from the pontoon. Beginners should not enter the Nordhusia structures.