Kerkweg, Den Osse

Kerkweg Dive Site: Discover the Beauty of Underwater Zeeland

Located in Den Osse, Zeeland, the Kerkweg Dive Site is renowned for its diverse marine life and is a favorite among divers of all levels. With a maximum depth of approximately 30 meters, this dive site offers an exciting underwater adventure for beginners and experienced divers alike.

Exploring the Kerkweg Dive Site, you'll encounter an array of fascinating marine species and captivating underwater landscapes. From the jetty, you can dive among oyster beds, an artificial reef created with reefballs, and various other hard substrates that are beautifully overgrown. While the maximum depth is 30 meters, the shallow water is home to a vibrant array of marine life, offering excellent visibility of up to 4 meters.

Keep an eye out for the green seaweed snails, pipefish, ghost lobsters, European lobsters, rock lobsters, gobies, sea dahlias, widow's dandruff, and frostwab. These species thrive in the Kerkweg Dive Site, making it a haven for underwater enthusiasts and nature lovers.

To access the dive site, make your way to the jetty, which provides direct entry into the water. At the end of the jetty, you'll find stairs on two sides of the plateau, allowing for easy exit from the water. Since 2014, two small stairs have been added on either side of the jetty, providing convenient access to the water.

Parking is available at the spacious parking lot near the dive site, but be cautious of car burglaries. The nearest filling station, Diving Centre de Grevelingen, is approximately four kilometers away and offers both indoor and outdoor filling services. Additionally, there is a filling container located on the parking lot for your convenience.

The underwater topography of the Kerkweg Dive Site is diverse and captivating. The bottom slopes gradually to about three meters from the side, with a depth of approximately 2.5 meters at the platform near the end of the jetty. The shallow part features sandy areas, and to the east of the jetty, you'll find a collection of overgrown concrete slabs. Towards the west, you'll encounter stone chunks in the shallow part, providing a picturesque ending to your dive.

Approximately 20 meters from the shore, there is a ledge of stone blocks in front of and west of the pier. By crossing this ledge, you'll reach a new plateau at around six to seven meters. East of the scaffolding, the edge is predominantly formed by concrete slabs, leading to a six to seven meters deep plateau. This is where you'll find the artificial reef, consisting of 100 reef balls that were placed in the spring of 2002. Over time, these reef balls have become a thriving ecosystem, attracting various marine species, including the elusive frost swab and the occasional pebble.

Exploring further east from the end of the breakwater, you'll swim parallel to the dike along a beautiful wall adorned with lobsters, and if you're lucky, you may even spot a cod or large schools of stone balls. While the site used to be home to dead man's thumb until around 2004, they are no longer found in this area.

The Kerkweg Dive Site boasts the largest parking lot in Zeeland, but it can get crowded, especially during peak seasons. Please be considerate of others and limit the use of parking spaces to one car per space. Do not occupy spaces with tents, barbecues, or seating areas, as this creates inconvenience for fellow divers. In 2014, the parking lot was expanded to provide additional spaces, but busy days may still require some patience and planning.

Enhancing the convenience for divers, the dive site has added facilities such as a new cafeteria called Even Pause and a small building with changing rooms, a flush area, outdoor showers, and toilets. The owner of Even Pause manages these facilities, and it is essential to leave them clean and tidy for the next divers. Furthermore, thanks to a generous donation from Even Pause in August 2017, an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) was acquired and is securely stored in a heated outdoor locker attached to the changing room. Plans are underway for the cafeteria to purchase an oxygen case as well.

Discover the wonders of the Kerkweg Dive Site in Den Osse, Zeeland, and immerse yourself in the breathtaking underwater world that awaits beneath the surface. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced diver, this dive site offers an unforgettable adventure filled with stunning marine life and captivating underwater landscapes. Plan your visit today and experience the magic of Zeeland's underwater paradise.