We often think about rain and long dark winters, but Denmark can be extremely warm and sunny during the summer months. Millions of people visit the country each year, however, in our opinion that’s not primarily to snorkel. Think of it this way: If you happen to visit Denmark, and if you feel like some underwater exploration on a sunny day, there are a few decent options out there. Let’s share some of our favorite spots in this article.
How to get there
There are several airports to choose from, even though Copenhagen Airport is a very popular choice. From there you could either hire a car, grab a taxi or use public transportation.
We always use Skyscanner, especially because there’s an option to combine your flight with some great deals on airport car hire. If you don’t have specific travel dates in mind, try their “Flexible dates” function (you’ll get this option once you select your departure date). That’s where we often find some great deals!
9 Snorkel Locations In Denmark
1. Blokhus Beach
Once a charming fishing village, Blokhus Beach is now a popular place among locals and tourists. Suitable for people of all ages, this beach offers a park, sculptures, gardens, galleries and much more. It’s a fun place to spend the day with restaurants and shops nearby. Snorkeling is decent but don’t get your hopes up too high. In our opinion this beach is more about having a fun day with the family. Kids will love the playground and ice cream parlors.
2. Grimmermosehuset
Grimmermosehuset is a little more popular among snorkelers because of its trail. Snorkeling isn’t too bad. You’ll find underwater signs to follow along a shallow sandy floor. Informational signs teach yo about the flora and fauna. Expect to observe marine grass, mussel beds, sea scorpions, flatfish, goby and pipefish. A few smaller fish species are usually hiding nearby. The video below shows you what to expect and how this seaweed forest looks like:
3. Hårbølle Strand
Hårbølle’s harbor is meant for the more experienced snorkelers. You always need to inform about weather conditions and whether or not snorkeling is an option. The beach can’t be missed with its old anchors and tribe boats. The marine life is decent with goby and flatfish. There’s even a wreck nearby.
4. Kastrup Sea Bath
Near Copenhagen you’ll find Kastrup Sea Bath. This is another popular area among sunbathers and swimmers. However, you can (of course) snorkel here as well. A long pier runs into the sea and curls to form a “swimming pool”. This provides a little shelter from the wind. Changing rooms are available. This area works well for people who want to enjoy a day of beaching with a little snorkeling here and there.
5. Klintholm Havn
Located in Vordingborg, this cozy harbor is home to a nice restaurant and a pier that leads out into beautiful water. In addition to snorkeling it offers scuba diving, fishing charters, sailing and boat tours. Some people rent a bicycle and simply enjoy (and explore) the surrounding area. Snorkeling is pretty decent. Besides the fish species we already mentioned you might as well come across some salmon.
6. Svinø Beach
Svinø Beach is great for both snorkeling and scuba diving. You need to be experienced when it comes to both swimming and snorkeling. Whenever weather conditions are mild, expect to observe quite a lot of (smaller) fish species. You might even see some eels. Bring water shoes (which is the case in most of these locations).
7. Trelde Nӕs
The snorkel trail at Trelde Nӕs was made for beginners and intermediate snorkelers. It runs right along the beach and is free to the public (but you need to bring your own gear). There’s a chain for you to follow. The beginning and the end of the trail are marked by large orange buoys.
Look forward to viewing crabs, pipefish, toothed wrack, bladder wrack, flatfish, sea stickleback, shrimp and lots of smaller fish. The water is only a few feet deep.
8. Ulvshale Beach
The beaches at Ulvshale on Møn are easy to access and very family friendly. You can experience stone reefs and sand sea beds, as well as seagrass meadows and lots of different fish. The marine life includes plaice and turbot. There are some artificial stone reefs to enjoy, which are especially good for beginners.
9. White Cliffs Of Møn (Mons Klint)
Before you go snorkeling, make sure to stand on top of the cliffs to enjoy an extraordinary view of the Baltic Sea. Denmark was born here when glaciers pushed the old chalky sea beds upward in the last ice age. The picture at the top of this article should give you a nice idea of how the area looks like.
It’s possible to snorkel with one of the available guides. They hand out masks, snorkels and wetsuits. In our opinion it’s worth inquiring about snorkel fins. Depending on the area, make sure you know some basics about the circumstances. Stones, rocks or other objects could have an impact on how enjoyable the water actually is.
Lots of hidden fossils can be found in this location. In addition to snorkeling and fossil collecting, you can also enjoy exhibitions, a 3D cinema, tree climbing and mountain biking.
Climate In Denmark
In a nutshell, winters are cold and summers are mild. January is usually the coldest month with an average maximum temperature of around 37 °F. July and August are warmer with an average maximum temperature of approximately 72 °F.
Unfortunately for us snorkelers, both rain and clouds can be expected throughout the year. In summer you might get lucky and enjoy a few hot days. If you want to learn more about the climate in Denmark, here’s a link to the website of Climates To Travel. They share a lot of detailed information.
Final Thoughts
Even though a good amount of these locations are beginner friendly, make sure to always inquire about weather conditions. It’s not uncommon to experience rainy days. Even though you can in fact snorkel in the rain, it’s probably not a good idea for beginners.
The same goes for bringing kids. Sure, some shallow waters should be fun in case they are old and skilled enough to do some snorkeling. However, safety always comes first. That’s why we dedicated an entire article about snorkeling with kids.
Denmark has lots to offer for an entertaining holiday. If you want to take a break from the beaches, how about sailing on a Viking boat? Or maybe you prefer to go hiking through the country’s impressive scenery? Whatever it is you’re after, you won’t find yourself bored quickly. To get more inspiration, check out the website of Visit Denmark.
It should be obvious by now that the marine life can’t be compared with some of the tropical locations we often talk about. If you ask yourself “What is snorkeling?“, or whether or not it is fun, Denmark won’t give you a full answer. Yes, the scenery is amazing! But snorkeling is probably a nice activity to combine with lots of sightseeing.