Lake Travis, Austin

Texas, USA Mid
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Difficulty
Unrated
Viz (last reported 13022h ago)
Max Depth
Unknown

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Lake Travis, Austin

Lake Travis is an exciting destination for amateur and technical divers alike. Destination dives include the Shaker Plant, which was used to process the construction materials used to build the lake’s dam, with some features at recreational depths and others extending beyond 100 feet deep. In addition, there are walls and grottoes to explore, along with forests of sunken pecan trees. Along the aptly named Wreck Alley, you’ll find a permanent line that leads to a series of wrecks ranging from houseboats to sailboats. As you make your way from one site to the next, you’ll find yourself in the company of yellow spotted and channel catfish, perch and bass, tilapia, and crappies. Visibility averages 8-10 feet, and charters are available. Located just 14 miles northwest of downtown Austin, this is a great place to spend a day or make several dives over the course of an extended period of time.
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Patty Thompson
Patty Thompson
May 28, 2023, 3:12 PM
freediving
Soso
Patty Thompson
Patty Thompson
May 28, 2023, 3:11 PM
freediving
AnisRashid
AnisRashid
May 21, 2022, 7:47 PM
snorkel
Fun!
Meggo
Meggo
Feb 27, 2008, 12:00 AM
scuba
My buddy and I dive here all the time… because where else are you going to dive in central Texas? The vis here is very poor. There are some sunken things and beginner depths that make for good practice. The real attraction is the pecan grove at 90-120ft. The trees and low vis are very disorienting, so make sure you have the correct experience, and a few dives in this lake before you head down there. You will need flashlights below 50ft. As an intermediate step there is a nice limestone shelf at around 80ft (head down the chain until you get to the pinto).
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Monte
Monte
Jun 11, 2006, 12:00 AM
scuba
There are two dive sites, both known as Windy Point, one being the Bob Wintz park and the other just Windy Point. They are located adjacent to each other. Windy Point has air fills on site, so that is a bonus. Windy Point has several dive platforms for training. Sunken sail boats, a car, motorcycle, etc can be found. During the middle of the week it is pretty nice due to less divers to kick up the bottom and make vis worse. The lake is about 17' low but that makes it easier to get to the trees that can now be located at about 90'.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
JMK
JMK
Oct 26, 2005, 12:00 AM
scuba
Murky, and not worth the trip.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Anonymous
Anonymous
Jul 13, 2005, 12:00 AM
scuba
Recently dove this lake at Windy Point. Loads of fish (big cats, perch, bluegill) could be found at the platforms all the way down to 60 feet. Viz cleared up around 45-50 ft as the temp dropped to the mid 70's from the mid to high 80's. A great place to start diving or just to practice some skills, and cheap to get into on weekdays ($5)!
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Jay from Texas
Jay from Texas
Mar 12, 2004, 12:00 AM
scuba
If you just like to dive, hill country lakes are fine. However, relative to coral reefs of the Caribbean, lakes really suck. Best ever vis is about 25' (and that is super; 5-10' more average) I enjoy camping for the weekend and playing with my gadgets, but my wife refuses to get in that muddy brown, catfish laden, cold water.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Anonymous
Anonymous
Oct 10, 2003, 12:00 AM
scuba
Great beginner site. A lot of divers on the weekends. Vis decreases quickly because of so many people. Park is Bob Wentz Park at Windy Point. It has platforms for classes and a whole lot of hungry fish that love hot dogs! I recommmend this site if you need to dive and just can't wait.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
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