Texas has miles and miles of coastline and as many rivers and lakes as there are stars in the sky, so you can always find somewhere close to scuba or snorkle. What you may not know is that Texas has some very unusual dives. The three in this post, Athens Scuba Park, Aquarena Center and Valhalla are about as different as night and day.
Athens Scuba Park
The park facilities were designed by divers for divers. The quarry depth varies from 20-35 feet, with visibility ranging from an average of 35 feet to a maximum of 70 feet. Full training is available, all ages and specialty diving certifications. All diving equipment may be rented.
Explore 30+ wrecks, from Ray Price’s Greyhound bus to a Lockheed C-140 Jet Star plane. There are boats, another airplane, motorcycles and a space capsule below the surface, guaranteed to provide hours of diving fun and to make some of the most amazing backgrounds for underwater photographers.
Amenities include 12 docks, shade pavilions, gear rinse stations, bath house, heated pool, hot tub, camping and RV hookups, sugar sand volleyball court, metal detectors, kayaks, and golf carts.
Hours
Winter (Jan-Feb) Sat-Sun 10am-5pm (call to confirm)
Spring (Mar-Apr) Wed-Sun 10am-5pm
Summer (May-Oct) Wed-Fri 10am-5pm | Sat & Sun 8am - 6pm (camp & night dive Fri & Sat)
Prices
Diver with C-card $15
Night Diving $5
Fills $5
Non Diver $15
Camping $5
Electricity $20
Aquarena Center
Declared a critical habitat in 1980, Spring Lake, the water impounded at the headwaters of the San Marcos River, is home to eight federally listed species and is governed by the rules and regulations of the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Spring Lake is also registered as an Archaeological site governed by the rules of the state of Texas Antiquities Law.
So, there is no recreational diving allowed. Aquarena’s Diving for Science program is a great way to dive in the cleanest and clearest water in Texas while helping with one of the largest habitat restoration projects in the country. The water is crystal clear and 72 degrees all year.
LEVEL 1 Scientific Diver Authorization course $220
LEVEL 2 $220
April 21 & 22 and June 9 & 10
Underwater Photography-Taught by David Eation of wetdigital.com, the training will focus on digital photography and computer editing.
June 23 & 24
Underwater Archaeology- This program will take up where Dr. Shiner left off. The two day program will be taught by Texas State Anthropology staff and include lots of diving and work underwater.
March 17 and May 19
Underwater Naturalist- Taught by Aquarena Center Staff, the training will be Aquarena/San Marcos Springs specific and the flora and critters of San Marcos System.
Note: Below the dam that impounds the lake, you may snorkle and scuba dive for miles down the San Marcos River, the natural aquarium of Texas.
Dive Valhalla
The water is 60 degrees, 130 feet deep and crystal clear. The scuba experience is enhanced by realizing that you are diving in an Atlas ‘F’ Hardened Missile Silo that used to store Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs). The silo is 60 feet in diameter and everything is 50-70 feet underground.
Dive Valhalla is not open to the general public, but dive reservations are easily arranged through Family Scuba Center. To reserve, a group must consist of an instructor or insured divemaster who will be responsible for coordinating the diving activities and maintaining safety divers ready for any problems. Dive Valhalla staff help coordinate getting the gear and divers from the dressing room level to the water and back safely, as well as doing some of the underwater photography and videography.
Divers should have prior deep diving experience, or be in an advanced or master class with this as your deep dive. Divers should be in good physical condition and habituate themselves to cold water dives in full gear. Divers from all over the world use Valhalla for advanced open water training in deep diving, altitude dives, nitrox, rebreathers and for other specialty courses. There is no light underwater, so you need a dive light, backup dive light and marker light.
For your convenience, Family Scuba Center has training facilities in one location. Five heated indoor pools (4-17 feet deep), class rooms and scuba shop. Family Scuba Center also conducts open water training in Texas lakes and springs and in the Caribbean and Pacific.
Specialty Dive Classes
- Deeper Diving
- Search and Recovery
- Underwater Photography
- Stress / Rescue
- Wreck Diving Nitrox Diver
- Boat Diving
- Equipment Specialty
- Drysuit Diving
- Full Face Mask Diving
- Altitude Diving
- Underwater Archeology
- Underwater Sign Language
Posted by CyberCelt under Camping & Lakes & RV Parks & Scuba/Snorkel & Strange | 3 Comments »
