Divers Hunt Treasure Chest in Lake Constance - Divers brave icy waters in Lake Constance’s annual treasure hunt
A long-standing tradition continued this year as dozens of divers plunged into Lake Constance in search of a hidden treasure chest. The event, held on Epiphany, drew crowds despite freezing temperatures and challenging conditions. Organisers kept the excitement alive with a live underwater feed for spectators onshore.
The hunt began early, with divers facing icy waters to locate the chest buried three to four metres deep near Überlingen. They had just 80 minutes to find it before time expired. The prize, marked with a skull and crossbones, contained no real fortune—only ballast stones, a steel cross, a bottle of non-alcoholic rum, and two gift vouchers.
The annual Bodensee Tauchstreitwettbewerb has taken place since 1970, organised by Tauchclub Bodensee e.V. in Friedrichshafen. This year’s competition involved the Überlingen Dive Group and the Lake Constance Aquanauts Team, with technical support from the Friedrichshafen Dive Sports Club. An underwater camera streamed the action live, letting onlookers follow the divers’ progress from monitors ashore. Despite the cold, participants and spectators turned out in numbers, keeping the decades-old tradition alive. The event remains a highlight for the local diving community, blending competition with spectacle.
The chest was recovered within the time limit, though its contents were symbolic rather than valuable. The competition once again proved popular, drawing divers and onlookers to Lake Constance. Organisers have already begun planning for next year’s competition, ensuring the tradition continues.
