Blekinge Archipelago

Before Entering the Water

• Check current SMHI marine weather, actual site conditions and operator go/no-go decisions.
• Use local instruction and properly assessed drysuit or other thermal systems. Cold shock, hypothermia, changing surface conditions, low visibility and boat routes can affect even nearshore dives.
• Confirm diver certification, buddy, air/gas, route, entry/exit, surface support, oxygen and emergency communications with the organizer.
• Do not penetrate or disturb wrecks or approach seal haul-outs; confirm legal boundaries and appropriate specialist qualifications.
• Breath-hold divers require trained apnea safety and immediate rescue capacity. Never hyperventilate or dive alone.
• Snorkelers need competent supervision, legal marked shore access and current water-quality checks; the Kollevik and Dragso trails are not promises of warm or clear water.

If Something Goes Wrong

Call 112 immediately for suspected decompression illness, severe cold exposure, breathing difficulty, drowning or maritime distress. Give oxygen only if trained and equipped; follow dispatcher instructions and keep dive profiles available. Do not attempt improvised in-water recompression or independently travel toward a hyperbaric chamber without emergency coordination.

The Blekingesjukhuset Karlskrona emergency department is listed as open 24 hours. Karlskrona's hospital hyperbaric unit says medically indicated acute chamber treatment can start at any hour; its normal telephone service hours are weekday daytime, and patients require physician assessment/referral. This is not guaranteed immediate diver admission. For sea rescue or other emergencies dial 112, give exact location and boat/entry information, and let medical and rescue professionals arrange transport. Nonurgent Swedish medical advice is available on 1177. The ability to evacuate a particular outer island depends on weather, communications and rescue capacity.

UNESCO Blekinge Archipelago is a biosphere designation, not a blanket permission for diving or a universal marine-park fee. Utklippan is a nature reserve with important grey-seal and bird habitats, rules for wildlife disturbance, landing, fire and overnight camping. Blekinge County's 2025 bird-protection order restricts land and water entry in mapped sensitive areas April 1 to July 15; check the precise site map. A separate 2025 order protects a designated offshore wreck area from certain diving, anchoring and other activities without appropriate authorization. National heritage protection also applies to qualifying historic ship remains. No touching or chasing wildlife, harvesting archaeology or scouring sensitive seagrass and mussel habitat. Follow posted conservation/bathing water warnings and disinfect gear to prevent transfer of invasive species.