Name: Whiskey Wreck
Rating: 3.0

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

150 yards off shore is the wreck of a 1920's steel hulled ship. There is currently about 5 feet of relief running for about 40 feet representing one side of the hull. Water depth is about 15 and is just past the second sand bar. The site can be accessed from a public parking lot next to Bahama Bob's Bar. With the site being heavily dived there isn't much marine life to see but there is a spinning rod entangled on the wreck. I guess that fisherman is still telling stories about "the big one" he hooked!



Whiskey Wreck

Note: As of August 28th 2005, Rock Divers, the company operating Madison Aquatic Park, has gone out of business and the park is closed and diving operations have ceased. The park is owned by the city of Madison, Alabama and it might possbily be re-opened by another vendor/operator, but nothing new has been reported as of end of October 2005. Just an update for those who might make a trip down and wanting to dive this location. -- Michael Sutton 
Rock quarries are the mainstay of diving for those of us that do not live near the oceans or large clear inland lakes. Many of us are trained and do a large part of our diving in these local water holes. Personally I think this makes us a hardier breed of diver because we brave the cold clear waters they offer as often as we can. Because these quarries do not usually have natural attractions such as shipwrecks, we create our own, by finding really cool stuff and sinking it. Generally we are not too picky either. If we find something that most "normal" folks think has outlived it's useful life, chances are we will jump at the chance to sink it for our diver's to enjoy! Madison Aquatic Park is no exception. Due to our proximity to Marshall Space Flight Center and the U. S. Space and Rocket Center, we have been able to get our hands on some very unique stuff for our quarry. On Friday June 1, 2001 we sank the most unique one yet. The U. S. Space and Rocket Center generously donated a 53' long, 15,000lb, Minuteman missile for our park. The rocket was placed vertically in roughly the center of the quarry. When you dive, just make sure you don't push the red button! Other interesting objects that we have acquired and placed are a F4 Phantom fighter jet, several pieces of mock up's of the first space station, a mock up of a telescope observation tower, and a steel bridge. These are in addition to the other more common items such as boats and vehicles. We have two houseboats in addition to many smaller runabouts. We are in the process of acquiring a few more pieces of "hardware" that will continue with our aeronautical theme and enhance your diving experience with us. Madison Aquatic Park is North Alabama's premier quarry, well suited for diver training. The average depth of the quarry is 50' and has very easy access to the water with parking next to the water on three sides. We are located just east of Interstate 65 in Madison, Alabama. This offers our northern neighbors a great place to stop off for a dive and rest on your way south. It's also a great place to stop on your way back home to wash all that salt off your gear. Contact Rod.Wheeler@rockdivers.com

Aquatic Park

Quarry dive, 150ft deep, 10-70ft viz, 40-80DegF; see www.headsouth.com/diveland

Near Glencoe; From Birmingham, Alabama, or Atlanta, exit Interstate 20 at Exit 185. Take highways 21/431 north for 6 miles. Follow Highway 431 to the left, and continue for 17.5 miles. Turn right onto Websters Chapel Road. Dive Land Park will be four-tenths of one mile on the left.

Dive Land Park

The Moulton Quarry is operated by "The Dive Station", which will operate its store in the Center Star / Killen area of Alabama on Hwy 72. The quarry though is located about 5 miles west of Moulton off "Old Hwy 24". As of November 2005, their store hasn't opened yet. Check with operators at below contact info on when store will be open. The Moulton Quarry is open again during the 2005 season for the first time in many years. It's a small to medium sized quarry that is about 3 acres in size and has two basic levels/depths. The upper quarry basin depth ranges from 15 feet to around 35 feet. The lower basin depth is around 50 feet to 65+ feet, depending on the water level. Visibility can change based on season and water conditions, but can easily reach 30-35 feet of visibility or greater. The quarry has two thermo-clines during the warmer months when surface temps reach into the 80's and just one thermo-cline during the cooler months. Bottom temps in the deeper end of the quarry never get much above the 50's though, even during the summer. With its shallow upper basin and great visibility, it is an excellent local open water training location. For those willing to get a little "chilly," the colder deeper basin has great diving to offer also. The people operating the quarry, Kevin and Tony, were also extremely helpful and very friendly. Fees: $15 entry fee. Air Fills: Air compressor, tank rentals, and partial pressure Nitrox mixing onsite. Bringing your own tanks is suggested though. Rental Gear: Rental gear is available, but suggest calling first to verify in case they have a class, etc. using the available gear. Water Temp: COLD. Two thermo-clines in the summer months and one in the spring/fall. Bottom temps in the 50's or below in lower basin. Depths: 15 to 35 feet in the upper basin and 50 to 60 feet in the lower basin. Deepest point in quarry is 65-70 feet, depending on water level. Items sunk: Two 20-25' sailboats, several ski boats, small dive training platforms, Greyhound type bus, large drainage pipes for swim thru's, a few large tanks/silos, etc. All items are marked with a floating buoy. Facilities: One dock, sloped shore entry, a couple picnic tables under a small shed. Bathroom facilities are a chemical "porta-potty", but it was very clean. According to the operators, 2006 plans include putting in a "sand beach" on the sloped entry into the water. (it's now gravel). If you need drinking water, it's suggested you take it with you. Nearest "Full service Dive Shops" in area: Dive Sports in Decatur, AL (approximately 27 miles away). http://www.divesports.com SDI in Huntsville (approx 52 miles) http://www.sdiscuba.com (Note: SDI in Florence is closed) Dive Station (when opened) in Killen, AL (approx 37 miles)

GPS Coordinates: 34.453351, -87.383881 Google Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=moulton,+al&ll=34.453351,-87.383881&spn=0.044241,0.082436&t=h&hl=en Operated by: The Dive Station Kevin Behel at kbmedic71(at)msn(dot)com or 256-366-2570 and Anthony McGee at MCGEEA8(at)aol(dot)com or 256-648-9147 Operation Times: April through October on Saturdays and Sundays (after 1pm). Other times/dates can be arranged. Suggest always calling beforehand to verify they are open the weekend you want to attend. Directions: (From Moulton, AL) 1.) Take HWY 24 West from Moulton. 2.) Turn Left (South) on CR-121 3.) After 1 block, veer Right (West) on "Old AL-24" 4.) Turn Left (South) on CR-7. Look for sign for Moulton Rock Quarry (rock/gravel company sign, not "Dive" quarry sign). 5.) Go to end of CR-7 where rock/gravel company plant is located. Before entering plant, turn Right (West) on CR-102. There is no sign for CR-102, but it is the last road before you enter the gravel plant. 6.) Take CR-102 gravel road until you see a "rusted" cattle gate on your left. This is the entrance drive to the quarry. (There is no sign). 7.) Enter through gate and drive will take you to main parking area.

Moulton Quarry

I was certified here, and as far as it goes it was a pretty good setup.  There was a small dive shop for small things that may have been forgotten, and they did refill tanks.  There was also an area for kids or non-divers to sit and watch the action from above.  In the water, there is several wrecked vehicles (one, a 65 Mustang was supposedly Janis Joplin's, don't know how true that was!) , boats, a school bus, 2 fire trucks and several other odd attractions.  And a few fish too!  Visibility varies, as more people come and go the water gets murkier, but it had pretty good visibility.  Web address is http://divealabama.com/

I-65 to exit 246, Pelham…  Take a right at the light, follow signs for 31S. Turn Left at Pelham   Parkway (still following 31 S). Turn Right on Industrial Park Drive, you will see the huge dive sign.  Park is on left past sign.

Blue Water Adventure

Visibility can be very good but with lots of plankton.  Lots of marine life to see.  Look for juveniles and other tiny things.

Going either direction on main road, exit on service road just east of bridge; park near the beach at the northwest corner of the service road.  Short walk to beach and dive between first piling on shore and first piling in water.  Quick drop off to 25 feet and dive around the piling.  Dive at high tide or just before (8 a.m. is a good time to get there).  Lots of locals dive this site but usually you will have it to yourself or just a couple of other divers.  Strong currents with gentler areas near the piling.

Perdido Pass

Relief on wreck has increased considerably. Now you can tell it was a ship.

The wreck was not visible (not that anything would have been).  Viz was 3 feet at best.  Parking right off the beach road next to Bahamas Bob's.  Perfect location.  If the dive conditions are right, this would be a fun and easy dive. Try the jetties in Orange Beach instead.

Whiskey Wreck

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Whiskey Wreck