Places to SCUBA Dive in Texas

Texas offers a wide variety of both ocean and inland diving options. Situated on the Gulf of Mexico, divers are presented with the choice of diving a marine sanctuary and a variety of artificial reefs. Inland diving in Texas includes remarkable man-made sites and great freshwater diving in some of Texas' lakes and quarries. The state is not one of the world's most famous diving destinations, but does have a large variety of dive options.

  1. Flower Garden Banks

    • Discovered and given their name by fishermen who snagged their nets on the coral, Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary is considered amongst the best diving in the area. Located 70 to 100 miles off the coast, the pinnacles are far enough south to support hard coral reefs and Caribbean reef fish. The only reef located for hundreds of miles, it is common to spot black-tip sharks, manta rays and loggerhead turtles year-round. Fish 'n' Divers charters offers charter trips to the Flower Garden Banks departing from Galveston, with a 2-dive per day option.

      Fish 'n' Divers

      7 Tiki Circle,

      Galveston, TX

      Phone:(713)304-2070

      Cell: (409)763-5232

      www.fishndivers.com

    Gulf Oil Rigs

    • The oil rigs situated off Texas are essentially artificial reefs. Rig diving is considered to be the safest type of diving in the gulf due to depth control made easy by the structure. The underwater structure of an oil rig is covered in barnacles, encrusting sponges and white hydroid and ivory coral, which attracts thousands of different types of marine life. These can include angel fish, dolphins, barracuda and rays, just to name a few. Occasionally there are even whale sharks. Ultra Dive runs charter trips out to the wrecks and oil rigs, on their fully equipped boat, with trips around 1.5 hours to the dive site.

      Ultra Dive

      9597 Jones Road Suite 128

      Houston TX

      Tel: (281) 469-2846

      Fax: (281) 469-7629

      email: ultragrp@sbcglobal.net

      www.ultradive.com

    Lake Amistad

    • Lake Amistad is located 15 miles away from Del Rio, in west Texas, and is considered the best lake diving in the state. Dive trips generally leave from Diablo East with 2 dives in a day generally offered by local operations. The lake has spectacular underwater topography and clear water. Due to the fact that it is one of the deepest lakes in Texas (up to 217 feet), it is also possible to do technical dives in Lake Amistad. Amistad Aqua Adventures offers 2-dive day trips or the chance to custom rent the entire boat for larger dive parties.

      Amistad Aqua Adventures

      Contact Captain Mark Bewley

      121 Watercrest Dr.

      Lakehills, Texas

      Phone: 210-508-5038

      E-mail: captmarkbewley@amistad-aqua-adventures.com

      www.amistad-aqua-adventures.com

    Athens Scuba Park

    • Athens Scuba Park is a custom-designed area for divers to come out and spend time away from the city.It is situated in a quarry near Athens, in north-central Texas. Located beneath the waters there are over thirty wrecks including a Lockheed C-140, a double-decker houseboat and even a Greyhound bus. There are also facilities on land for dive training, including a heated swimming pool and a hot tub for you to unwind after a day of diving.

      Athens Scuba Park

      500 N. Murchison St

      Athens, TX 75751

      Tel: 973-675-5762

      Fax:973-675-5656

      www. athensscubapark.com