Diving in the Lone Star State: The Best Places to Scuba Dive in Texas

Scuba diving may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of Texas but the Lone Star state may surprise you with its fantastic scuba sites. So get your fins and prepare to backroll into seven of the Best Places to Scuba Dive in Texas.

The Flower Gardens

Approximately 100 miles off the coast of Freeport, Texas, lies a group of coral reefs that sit atop a salt dome in the Gulf of Mexico. This breathtaking location, aptly named The Flower Gardens, shimmers with all the vibrant colors coral has to offer. The area is also home to a variety of marine life. A diver might glimpse everything from a sea turtle or manta ray to a hammerhead shark. 

Plan your visit to the Flower Gardens between April and November, when the weather is mild and the water is warm. The summer months, when the water temperature reaches up to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, is an ideal time for divers to visit.

Lake Travis Scuba Dive in Texas

A popular spot for recreational boating and fishing, Lake Travis is also a great place to scuba dive. Several dive sites offer unique atmospheric dives. Scuba divers can explore a sunken sailboat, an underwater airplane, or even a car. The underwater attractions provide an interesting skill challenge for divers that come with great photo opportunities. The water in Lake Travis is relatively warm and clear, making it an ideal location for both beginner and experienced divers.

The best time to visit Lake Travis is typically from May to September when the water temperature reaches up to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Balmorhea State Park

Inside Balmorhea State Park is a natural spring-fed pool that has become a popular scuba diving spot. The incredibly clear pool water can have visibility of up to 70 feet in some areas. There are plenty of interesting rock formations and aquatic vegetation for divers to explore. Several species of fish, including catfish and turtles, also call the pool home and keep divers company as they paddle through. For those who prefer warmer water, Balmorhea is a great choice since the pool remains a constant 72-76 degrees Fahrenheit all year. 

Click here to read Discover the 5 Best Beach Cities for Scuba Diving

Blue Lagoon

A former limestone quarry turned scuba park located in Huntsville, Texas, the Blue Lagoon offers a unique diving experience. The clear water has depths of up to 80 feet and there’s plenty of sunken crafts, from boats to airplanes, for divers to explore. There are also a variety of underwater sculptures and statues as well. The park is truly a diver’s destination spot with changing rooms and equipment rentals available. 

Although the Blue Lagoon is open year-round, the best time to visit is during the warmer months from May to September. That’s when the water temperature is most comfortable for diving.

Possum Kingdom Lake

Possum Kingdom Lake is a popular general vacation spot for Texans, but it’s lesser known for it also being a great place to scuba dive. The lake’s dive sites include an underwater forest and a sunken boat. The clear waters have visibility of up to 40. In addition to diving, visitors can also enjoy other outdoor activities such as hiking and fishing.

For warm waters up to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, scuba divers will want to visit between May and September.

Comal Springs

Comal Springs is the largest natural spring in Texas. The clear, freshwater springs offer a unique diving experience with plenty of underwater caves and crevices to explore. The clear water has visibility up to 60 feet in some areas, offering plenty of opportunity for divers to see a variety of aquatic life including turtles and fish.

The best time to visit Comal Springs for scuba diving is during the spring or fall when the water temperature is most comfortable for diving. During the spring or fall the Comal Springs water will get up to the mid-70s Fahrenheit so that’s generally when it’s best to plan your visit. 

Lake Amistad

Located in southwest Texas on the Rio Grande, Lake Amistad is a popular boating and fishing spot that also offers a great scuba diving experience. With clear water and visibility up to 50 feet in some places, it’s easy to explore the underwater caves and rock formations of several of the dive sites. Lake Amistad should be listed as a summer scuba diving destination since the water warms up from May to September to up to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Combined with the area’s mild summer weather it will make for a great diving trip. 

Next time the Lone Star State comes to mind, remember in addition to steak it’s also a great state for scuba diving.