This dive site, Banter See, is a large rectangular lake near Wilhelmshaven, Germany, with a maximum depth of 10 meters, making it highly accessible for all diving levels. Despite being separated from the North Sea by the Grodendamm embankment, it retains a slight salt content. The site is historically significant, featuring fascinating underwater remnants from the war, including various ruins, the bow of a harbor barge, and remnants of blown-up quays that provide interesting navigation and exploration opportunities for divers.
The marine life, though not abundant in large species, offers observations of gobies, trout, unique mitten crabs, and some flounders, making it suitable for macro photography. The underwater flora is noted as not particularly lush, emphasizing the wreck and structure diving appeal over vibrant reef ecosystems.
The best time to visit Banter See for diving is typically during the warmer months from late spring to early autumn when water temperatures are more comfortable and visibility tends to be at its best, though it can widely vary from 3-15 meters. It's an excellent site for beginner divers and freedivers due to its shallow depth, offering unique historical exploration in a calm environment. Divers should be prepared for cold water, common in German lakes.
