Arkansas

Marion 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

House boat diving weekends.

Bull Shoals Boat Dock

Bull Shoals

Bull Shoals Lake



Just outside of Branson, MO.  This lake is great for certification and additional training.

Table Rock Lake

Duck Island is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in USA, Missouri which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Duck Island

Beaver Lake - Dam Site Bluffs is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in USA, Arkansas which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Beaver Lake - Dam Site Bluffs

Featuring 28,000 acres of clear water that attracts thousands of water sports lovers, fishermen, hikers, and birdwatchers, Beaver Lake is located in the Ozark Highlands near Rogers and features forests, tall bluffs, and meadows crisscrossed by hiking trails. Beaver Lake is nationally renowned for bass fishing and has even become a destination for many fishing tournaments. Boating, scuba diving, water skiing, wakeboarding, kayaking, swimming, and picnicking are just as popular. Suit up, grab the towels and sunscreen, and get to Beaver Lake for some fun in the sun!

Beaver Lake



Oronogo.

Captain John's Dive Park is also known as Oronogo Quarry.

Captain John's Dive Park

The scuba diving park features underwater attractions ranging from a completely submerged school bus to various sunken boats and their new additions includes an aircraft fuselage. At 50 degrees from the access ramp is a marble plaque in 17 feet of water, then on out is a submerged boat at 27 feet, at 330 degrees off the access ramp and 114 feet from the ramp is two submerged boats side by side, at 60 degrees and 145 feet from the access ramp is a school bus in 26 feet. The top of the school bus is 17 feet deep, the bus is 24 feet long. 40 feet from the bus is a submerged airplane.  There is a bouy line running off a bluff into 100 feet of water. Near the dam is a rock face with a small cave. There is camping and restrooms at the access ramp. Lots of catfish, ells, and other freshwater fish in the diving park. Visibility varies with the amount of rain that has emptied into the lake within the last week, it is on average about 10 to 15 feet at 25 feet and clears to about 25 feet on good days. Some days visibility is as little as 2 feet if there has been lots of rain.  

Diving equipment sales and rental is avalible at Nautical Adventures Scuba at Cookson, and also Gene's Aqua Pro Shop at Strayhorn.


Directions: Eastern Oklahoma. Driving on I-40 east of U.S 69 and west of Vian Oklahoma, take exit 287, follow Hwy 100 north through Gore to park. Westbound I-40, take exit 297, 10 miles north on SH 82 to SH 100, 3 miles south to Tenkiller State Park.

Water Access is from shore off the end of a concrete ramp.  The end of the ramp is 6 feet below surface (walk in access). 

Lake Tenkiller is also known as Fisherman's Point.

Lake Tenkiller

Very unique dive. Great winter dive as temperatures are essentially constant year round.



Bonne Terre Mine

The Dive Stop is a commercial operation that features (generally) excellent visibility year round. Nearly all of the area around the quarry drains away from the lake, which minimizes visibility loss due to runoff. The quarry features several sunken 'toys' including a 32 ft. cabin cruiser, two trucks, 16 ft. open bow boat and a motorcycle along with several other items. There are two new docks, a newly installed beach, two training platforms, a picnic area, primitive camping and several canopied covered tables. Wildlife includes bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish, turtles and a beaver.  The vis usually ranges 15-25 feet at the surface, 20-25 feet at 20 feet, and deteriorates below the thermocline to 5-10 feet. The quarry is approximately 70 feet deep.  The quarry owners have developed it into a commercial venture over the last two years, and all of the amenities are less than 2 years old at the time of this writing (Spring, 2009) and in excellent condition.  Hours and pricing are available at the quarry's website, http://www.dive-stop.com

The Dive Stop is a commercial dive quarry located at 3960 Highway Z New Melle, MO 63365. The quarry is located about 30 miles west of downtown St. Louis, just south of I-70. From St. Louis, drive west on I-70 until you get to Wentzville. The turnoff for Route Z is JUST past the I-70/Highway 61 (to Troy & Hannibal) cloverleaf... be in the right lane after the 61 North exit. The highway Z exit is less than 1/2 mile past the cloverleaf. When you exit, turn left (south) of the ramp and follow highway Z about 6 miles. The Dive Stop will be on the left (lots of flags and an office structure will be obvious... it is well marked).

Dive Stop

This site is a rock quarry, but has been managed for a few years by divers. There is a sunken Chevy, a motorcycle, two boats, and a training platform at 30 ft . Water is cold, even in summer. Visibility is decent, very little fish population.

West of Saint Louis, just up to New Melle.

Bull Shoals Lake

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Bull Shoals Lake