Vinkeveen Island 4
Vinkeveen lake (“Vinkeveense Plassen”) is one of the most popular diving locations in the Netherlands. Island 4 (Eiland 4) is the main “hub” for diving at this location. Boats are not allowed within the diving area, and max depth is approximately 55m.
It is 20-minutes drive from Amsterdam, it has all the necessary facilities for divers of all levels.
Location
Facilities
- Most of the diving points of interest can be found via a guide chain.
- Airdiving is the main dive shop 2 mins walk from the water, offering equipment, gas filling (air, nitrox and trimix).
- All divers are required a to purchase a day-pass which goes towards maintaining the area. Annual passes are also available.
- Toilets and showers.
- A small number of benches to set up your equipment.
- Drinks can be purchased from the dive shop, but there are no real food options nearby. Remember to take your own!
What can I see?
- Various wrecks, including a bus, barge and numerous boats. There’s also a mountain of old bikes – it is the Netherlands after all!
- There’s two large training platforms at approximately 5m and 18m. This allows you to practice skills with kicking up and.
- Lots of lobsters & small fish.
- If you’re lucky, you might spot some pike (a few up to 1m long!).
Conditions
- Underwater visibility is best during winter (up to 10m), but temperatures can reach as low as 4-5c in Dec/Jan.
- Water temperature during summer can reach 16-17c, but visibility is much lesser (especially in the shallower areas) due to the number of beginner divers taking courses.
- Whilst drysuits are highly recommended, diving with a 7mm wet suit (plus hood, gloves and shoes) is normally sufficient from May – Oct (depending on your tolerance to cold of course!).
- There is a thermocline at around 9m and at 20m.
Good to know
- Main parking is free next to the water. There are approx. 40 – 50 spaces, but gets busy very quickly during summer (both divers and sunbathers!), especially as everyone gets kitted up in the parking area. Locals tend to arrive around 08:00 on weekends.
- Take a changing mat with you – it can get a bit muddy from the rain.
- You can self fill at Airdiving with 50c coins or with a top-up token. If you want the shop to fill for you, you’ll need to strip off regulators etc., before taking your cylinders into the shop