South Carolina

Oconee 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



The pump house is located across the lake from Lake keowee Marina in Seneca, South Carolina. Its the old town of Seneca water treatment plant before they flooded the river to create the lake.

Pumphouse is also known as Keowee Pumphouse.

Seneca

Pumphouse

130-183 Bridge is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in USA, South Carolina which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

130-183 Bridge

The Hot Hole is a cove on Lake Keowee where hot water comes out of the nuclear power plant; temperature is somewhere between about 68°F and 80°F. Access is by boat with a cost of $40.00 per person for a 2 tank dive.



Hot Hole



Follow signs for access to the day-use, non-motorized boat ramp

Lake Jocassee Boat Ramp

State designated dive area, walkin from boat ramp, 2 platforms, a skeleton family, a sunk ski boat, tree forest and airplane parts.

the lake was flooded in 1973 and a lodge and several buildings still stand at the bottom as well as a cemetery.

Devil's Fork State Park

Lake Jocassee - The Wall

Lake Jocassee - The Wall 2

There is another shore dive location in the Atlanta area that a lot of instructors use for rescue diving and other train. IE are also done there as well. It is in Lake Lanier called West Bank. There is parking near by and a bath house. This cove is closed to boat traffic. A lot of dive master have used this site for mapping projects.

West Bank, Lake Lanier

This flooded quarry is privately owned and just opened June 3/06 for diving business.  Facilities are still under development with the owners currently operating out of trailers.  A variety of services are available but call ahead to give them time to source what you need.    The water is warm for the first 20 feet, then drops quickly to 45F.  Visibility starts as poor (10-30') at the surface and goes quickly to very poor (<6').  A few submerged platforms and a nice wooden entry point with stairs are already in place (June 10/06).  On the far side of the quarry is an antique crane/shovel resting in 40' of cold cold water.  You might bump into it before seeing it.    Dark 130+ foot depths are good for intermediate and advanced training, but might scare beginners silly.  The shallows (above the 20' thermocline) offer poor to average vis and warm water.  Dive Haven is 2 hours closer to Atlanta than any other option for blowing bubbles.  The owners intend to sink some attractions including a plane, a boat, and a truck.  As brush is bring cleared the vis is slowly improving too.

Dive Haven GA (http://www.divehavega.com) is a short trip north of Atlanta, located in White GA.  Take exit 293 off I-75 and head east three miles.  Turn left immediately after the tracks then left again at the T intersection.  Dive Haven is 1/4 mile down on the right hand side.

Dive Haven

Lake James Rock Formation

A very little island in Lake James. Arround that Island you can find a couple fish. Very good for a training dive.



Lake James Islet

Great spring to fall dive.  Summer water temperatures get into 80's, summer thermocline 25'.  Two training platforms, dock or walk in entry.  Lots of fresh water fish.  Air on site, not mixing EANx last time I was there.  Equipment rentals.  Winter diving on request.  Beats driving to Alabama from Atlanta for diving.

East Northeast from Athens, Tennessee; just north to Englewood. Address is 116 County Road 420 - Athens, TN 37303.


Pumphouse

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Pumphouse