Freshwater lake under ice
Lake Baikal
Russia
RussiaUp to 40 m · Technical (Ice Diving)
Endemic nerpa seal · endemic sculpins
See dive siteThe largest underwater gypsum cave in the world and the longest cave in Russia: some 5.1 km of passage, of which about 4.8 km are flooded. It contains the longest sump in the former Soviet Union, at 935 m. Enormous chambers up to some 76 m wide alternate with extremely tight squeezes. The mineral ground filters the water so thoroughly that visibility exceeds 45 m.
Depth
5–40 m
Recommended level
Technical (Cave Diver, cold water and drysuit)
Current
None
Gypsum dissolves quickly, so the walls are white and the landscape is constantly changing. The combination of water at 4 °C, sharp walls and labyrinthine galleries places it among the most dangerous cave dives in the world; the cave-diving centre that manages it requires proof of certification beforehand. There is a local legend about "the Lady of the Cave", a figure in white who is said to protect divers.
Sources consulted: Wikipedia (Orda Cave) · PADI Blog · Koox Diving · dive.site · drardiving.com
Which other dive sites are like this one?
Same country: Russia
Same type of dive: Cave / cenote
Same type of dive: Cave / cenote
Based on what we already know about this dive site.
Access
From land, through the entrance beside the Kungur River; the equipment has to be lowered down
Best season
All year round; the water stays at around 4 °C
Same type of dive: Cave / cenote
Croatia
Egypt
Greece