← Return to Favorite Dive Summary
Return to Explore Dive Sites← Back to dive site search
FreshwaterSinkholeCaveDeep DiveTechnical DiveUnverified

NBM Dive Site Resource

Lake Guinas

Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia

UNVERIFIED — Lake Guinas is a deep, clear freshwater sinkhole on private land west of Tsumeb. Current reports document technical cave-diving exploration to 113–130 m and the critically endangered endemic Otjikoto tilapia.

Save this dive site to your free member profile.

Historic Picture Placeholder

Old-fashioned maritime line drawing reserved for a future historic photograph
Historic Picture PlaceholderHistoric photograph pending research and rights review
WaterFreshwater
AccessPrivate-land permission, applicable permits and advance technical-expedition arrangements are mandatory. Reconfirm the land manager, rigging, gases, oxygen, communications and evacuation plan.
ExperienceTechnical cave divers only for deep or overhead routes, with suitable mixed-gas, decompression, altitude and expedition experience.
Maximum depthReported maximum about 130–135 m; a June 2024 team descended to 113 m and 130 m. Depth is not a recreational target.
Best seasonNo routine public season. Access depends on landowner, permit, weather, team and conservation conditions.
VisibilityThe 2024 report describes crystal-clear water, but silt, limited light and disturbance can rapidly reduce effective visibility.

Aquatic life at this dive site

What divers may encounter

Three reviewed connections are featured here. Sightings vary by season, conditions, and chance, so they are never guaranteed.

Profile connection reserved

Aquatic life research in progress

NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.

Profile connection reserved

Aquatic life research in progress

NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.

Profile connection reserved

Aquatic life research in progress

NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.

Site media

Photographs

Three views rotate from the published gallery on each visit.
Surface view of Lake Guinas from the rim in Namibia.
Exact-site surface overview; not underwater conditions, an access ladder, a dive entry or a navigation point.Matthias Küchmeister / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Source ↗
Illustrated scuba diver reserved for a future dive-site photograph
Dive Photograph PlaceholderDive-site photograph pending
Illustrated scuba diver reserved for a future dive-site photograph
Dive Photograph PlaceholderDive-site photograph pending

Contributor media

Dive videos

Three featured video positions are reserved on every profile.
Dive-site video pending
Dive-site video pending
Dive-site video pending

Published reference location

Location map

The marker shows the public coordinates associated with this profile. Confirm current access, moorings, and departure details before the dive.
Published reference coordinates-19.23300, 17.35300
Open in Google Maps ↗
Map zoom level 6 of 11

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Recent field observations

Diver-reported temperatures

Automatically checked observations from dives during the past 14 days. Three reports are visible at a time; scroll for more.
Automatically checked
No recent diver reports from the past 14 days

A report that passes the automatic checks will appear here with the dive date, diver’s display name, and temperatures at each depth.

Reports are automatically checked for plausible dates, depths, and temperatures. They are observations, not forecasts; confirm conditions before diving.

Diver field observation

Report temperatures

Reports publish automatically when the date, depths, and temperatures pass the checks. You must be signed in to submit.

Depth readings

Why divers know this place

Highlights

Clear deep sinkhole, widening submerged cavern, rare endemic fish and active expedition exploration.

Before you arrive

Access notes

Rounded lake-area display point only—not an access gate, ladder, entry, descent line, cave route or navigation waypoint. Protect the critically endangered endemic fish.

Plan within your training

Conditions and hazards

Extreme depth, decompression, overhead, altitude, silt-out, disorientation, equipment failure, difficult extraction, limited response and ecological sensitivity.

At the site

Facilities and support

A 2024 account shows a ladder and platform, but no routine shop, fills, oxygen or chamber support is verified. PADI lists no in-country shop.

Independent resource notice

This record is a starting point for independent verification. Access, closures, moorings, weather, currents, depth, visibility, operator availability, and site conditions can change without notice. Confirm current information with the responsible operator, property owner, managing authority, or another qualified local source before planning or attempting a dive.