Maryland

Carroll County

Divers will travel far and wide to find the best diving. But those who live in the United States have plenty of great diving on their doorstep as well, with plentiful access to the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. From warm-water reefs to temperate seas, here are some of the top places to scuba dive in the United States.

United States

Westminster

Hydes Quarry



Woodsboro Dive Team only has access to the quarry

Woodsboro Quarry (550)



On the Patapsco River just outside Baltimore.

Fort Carroll

Privately owned and closed to the general public. Don't access without permission. Some local scuba shops do their training certification dives here.

There is all sorts of aquatic life consisting of fish, grasses, and underwater forests 

Bakerton Quarry

Lots to see. Many sunken objects such as airplanes, cement trucks, bulldozers, and such. Very relaxing dive

Set up gear at picnic tables underneath pavilians and walk about 10-30 feet straight into the water. Slight sloping ground.

Bainbridge Sportsmanship Club is also known as Access A.

Bainbridge Sportsmanship Club

There are two entry points to this old quarry, but the best follows sunken road and remains shallow -- no more than 20 feet. During the summer and early fall the dive can be done is a shorty wet suit, and the diver is guaranteed to see bluegill, bass and other freshwater fish native to the area. Of course, there are deeper dives -- 100-feet plus -- in much colder water.

Along the east shore of the Susquhana River about 10 miles north of Route 30 or 15 miles south of Harrisburg off of Route 441.

Bainbridge Sportsman's Club

This quarry is riddled with lots of sunken objects. Boats, trains, trucks, and lots of old motorcycles. There are convenient lines linking all of the sunken sights so navigation is impossible to lose. At the access, there is a lagoon around 30 feet deep. Then, it drops to the maximum depth of 80 feet. Visibility is much better than most other quarries in the region.

Access is quite easy. There are stairs into the water and also a floating dock for a giant stride entry. Very easy access.

Guppy Gulch

This is the local dive site for divers in Northern Virginia.  It is an inland fresh water lake that was formed from a flooded quarry.  Various ships, air planes, and other structures have been sunk for diver's use.  Local dive shops conduct the whole gamut of training here.  You must have a c-card to get in, so there are no fishermen, boats, or snorkelers.  

From Rt 66 in Virginia, take exit 40 for US 15 South.  Take US 15 South to the traffic light at VA 55.  Take a right on to VA 55 West.  Continue of VA 55 approximately 3.6 miles.  Millbrook's entrance will be on your left, immediately after crossing Broad Run.  The entrance is marked by a gate and a barrel with a dive flag painted on it.  If you arrive before opening, you will also see a line of cars extending both east and west from the gate.  

Admission passes are $30.00 at the gate or
$18.00 at a local dive shop.  The lake is privately owned, but used by the local SCUBA crowd.  It is open weekends, closed weekdays seasonally.  Divers can camp overnight from June 2 through Labor Day for $5 extra per person.

There are several beaches around the lake where divers can enter the water.

Lake Millbrook

About an hour west from Washington D.C. and east from Winchester, Va, Millbrook Quarry is an ideal site for weekend dives. There are multiple sunken attractions including a plane, several boats, and buses, to name a few. They are open Saturday and Sunday only. Water temps can get up to the mid 70's in the summer, but the deepest point is consistently in the 40-50 degree range year round. Thick wetsuits or dry suits are the norm. Visibility can range from 10-20 feet. Entry at the gate is $25, but can be purchased ahead of time at local dive shops for less. For more information see the dive site link listed below.

From Washington D.C. and points east, take I-66 west. Get off on exit 40, Route 15 Haymarket/Leesburg. Turn Left onto Rt. 15. Turn right onto John Marshall Highway/Rt 55 at first traffic light. Follow this road 3.4 miles, you will see a barrel, painted as a dive flag, on the left side of the road marking the entrance to the quarry.  From Winchester and points west, I-66 east. Get off on exit 40, Route 15 Haymarket/Leesburg, headed South. Turn right onto John Marshall Highway/Rt 55 at first traffic light. Follow this road 3.4 miles, you will see a barrel, painted as a dive flag, on the left side of the road marking the entrance to the quarry.

Millbrook Quarry

Willow Springs Park is a lovely little scuba park on Millards Quarry Pond with tons of sunken attractions like cars, trains, boats, and other goodies.  Water is COLD!  Viz is usually about 10-20 feet at best.  If you are familiar with Dutch Springs Scuba Park then you get the idea.  Nice facilities, heated bathrooms, full service dive shop, swimming area, ramp for handicapped divers. From the Willow Springs web site:  "Over 600,000 divers have safely certified with us at Willow Springs Park. You are invited to join them at one of the finest diving facilities in the Northeast.  You'll find that we have designed the park specifically for your convenience and safety, with dozens of attractive features"  All Divers: $20.00 a day, Non Divers: $6.00. Night Diving $10.00 by special arrangement.  No Boats, No Pets.  Season Passes Available ($140.00) Passes good March 1, 2005 to Feb. 28, 2006. Weekends 1st Weekend in March - Memorial Day, Daily - Memorial Day - Labor Day.  Weekends Labor Day - To Weekend before Thanksgiving.  WWW.WILLOWSPRINGSPARK.COM

www.willowspringspark.com/WGdirect.htm gives you all the info you need to get to Richland, PA.

Willow Springs Park

Abandon limestone quarry, turned into Scuba park.

Millardsville

Willow Springs is also known as Millards Quarry Pond.

Hydes Quarry

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Hydes Quarry