Top destinations, and a bit of inspiration, for divers heading to Norway (or those who didn’t know they could dive here)

- Lofoten Islands: Dive in the midnight sun in summer, and with killer whales in winter. The beautiful Lofoten islands are home to Moskenesstraumen, a divers’ Eldorado, where ultra clear waters await. Here you’ll find big kelp forests, overhangs filled with anemones and ocean roses, all kinds of fish (wanna catch your own dinner? Here you can), and immaculate white sandy beaches on which to rest after your dive. www.aqualofoten.com

- Saltstraumen: The world’s strongest maelstrom is one of Europe’s best and most exciting diving sites – National Geographic Magazine recently listed it as one of its top 10 diving destinations in the world! The oxygen-rich water hosts an abundance of fish and a rich variety of aquatic plants, but because of the strong currents this one is for experienced divers only. www.saltstraumendivecenter.com

- The Ytre Hvaler NP, Østfold: The Oslofjord’s popular archipelago is Norway’s first marine national park, opened in September 2009. A great destination for divers of all abilities, boasting unique underwater flora and deep sea corals, as well as some rare fish species not found anywhere else in Norway. www.fsd.no (Norwegian only)

- Ice diving: For something really different why not try ice diving in Arctic Norway, and follow your underwater explorations taking in the beautiful natural spectacle of the Northern lights? A dry suit is a must of course, and a sense of adventure. Available in winter only, in the Barents Sea (where you’ll be able to dive with the famous giant crabs) or on Svalbard. www.xoholidays.com

- Wreck diving: There are many wreck sites all along the Norwegian coast, and Narvik is probably Norway’s wreck diving capital. Tromsø is another good base in Northern Norway, while in the south the area around Kristiansand is home to many well-known wrecks from WW2, the most famous being the freighter MV Seattle. www.divenorway.com, www.kdykk.no

- Lake diving: The best one is Lygnstøylsvatnet, in Western Norway. This lake was created after a landslide blocked off the river Lygna back in 1908, and the local village was subsequently submerged. Now a popular diving destination where you’ll be able to see remnants of the old farm buildings, stone fences, a road, a bridge and the old forest through the pristine water. www.dykkerklubben.com (Norwegian only)