Balmorhea Springs Info

[EMTPDiver]

Hi, my wife and I are new to the area and are looking for nice places to dive. We found a decent looking place called Balmorhea Springs and would like to get some info on it from anyone who has gone diving there.

It appears that it is a spring that has been converted into a swimming pool, yet I have seen a number of videos on youtube that make it seem much more natural with fish and turtles and stuff. Please clarify if you can....where is the actual dive site with all the fish and such?

Also, I read somewhere that you have to provide proof that you have gone diving within the last 18 months. My wife and I keep our own Microsoft Excel version of a logbook, but it certainly doesn't look very official or anything. Do you really need some sort of definitive "proof" of recent diving?

Any other tips or pointers regarding the Balmorhea Springs site would be greatly appreciated.

 

[txdano]

It looks like a swimming pool from topside, but once you get in you will see that it is all still pretty natural. Lots of fish, turtles etc. Visibility for us was not as great as normally reported there, but this was right after a lot of rain. The springs bubbling up from the sand at the one end is pretty cool. When we went they did not even check our C-cards, much less a log book, however that might not be very typical so I would not count on it. We have only dove there once so maybe someone else will chime in with more info.

 

[amascuba]

It's a bit of both. There are a lot of locals who use it for swimming, but you can still dive there. The water temperature runs around 75 degrees year round with a maximum depth of ~21ft. Water clarity typically about 75-100' visibility (Visibility can sometimes be worse when the springs blow out during heavy rains or when divers/swimmers stir up silt laying on the bottom). There are definitly a lot of aquatic life (Mexican Tetras, catfish, freshwater snails, crawfish, and soft shell turtles), including an endangered species of pupfish. A flock of ducks migrate there during the winter months, which is especially cool since you can watch the ducks dive down into the water during a dive and snatch a fish or craw dad.

To dive there, you just check in at the front office and they have a sign in sheet that asks for your c-card number. Other than that I've never been asked to show my dive log.

For more information you can visit the state park website at:

TPWD: Balmorhea State Park

 

[txdano]

some more info and pics:
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/texas-swamp-divers/212070-balmorhea-trip-report-pics.html

 

[BillT5]

I have done a couple of dives there. It's a great place to do a couple of dives. after that there is not much else to see in the spring. the country out there is very nice to see, west texas, mountains and all that. very scenic. it is worth the trip if you have some time for a long weekend of site seeing and some diving.

 

[TwoBitTxn]

It can get a little crowded in the winter with classes and all. Air fills are limited at the fill station near by. They aren't quick and they close early on Sunday. It's a neat dive, but it's real easy to see the whole thing in one dive.

You say new to the area, what area is that?

Welcome to Texas

 

[texdiveguy]

Balmorhea Springs is what it is....a nice log book dive site.

The area is true SW Texas....very scenic with the Davis Mountains right there. McDonald Observatory is open for tours and visitation.

 

[richerso]

I seem to remember being required to show a C-card without log book. All posts above are very accurate. Everyone in Texas dives Balmorhea at least one time to put it in the log book. Very cool dive . . . . . for a one or two dives. After that, you've seen everything. The WPA, back in the 1930s, saw fit to come in and place a concrete apron around the naturally occuring oasis. Go figure. Thus, it looks like a swimming pool, even though it is a naturally occuring oasis.

If you do happen to muck up the water, and it's a little tough to do unless you are a complete newbie, simply wait one hour. The water will clear out. I believe the springs completely replenish 100% of the water every 3 hours.

Where are you moving to in Texas? Like Alaska, Texas is a big state. Balmorhea is an 8 hour drive from my house. This is a big state, with all due respect to Alaska.

 

[beachegirl]

I did several dives there when I lived in NM, very nice and great softshell turtles. You might also want to check out Fort Davis just up the mountains. I believe a 45 min drive? It is a quaint little town with nice saloon style restaurant. I can't remember its name, maybe someone else can?

 

[Guba]

Balmorhea State Park is near the town of Balmorhea, Texas, with nearby towns Saragosa and Toyahvale. All are small, but there are some restaurants and motels. I've found the best bet for lodging are the "cabins" found at the State Park itself. They're not fancy, but they are clean and close and have kitchen facilities. There is a true scuba shop just across the highway from the state park (picture that...a scuba shop in the middle of a desert!). All descriptions of the pool area itself are accurate and informative. It's not an "exciting" dive, but it's unique and interesting. The vis is absolutely stellar, and the temp is uniform (73-75 F) year round. My dive partner and I make the trek out there about once a year during the winter months when we are desperate to get underwater but don't want to freeze.
Pictures and more info can be found at TPWD: Balmorhea State Park as noted previously. Be sure to watch the video...it pretty well show the San Soloman springs for what they are.

The park is also a good choice for a base camp for side trips. New Mexico is less than an hour to the north, and the Davis mountains are nearby...the park is actually in the shadow of the mountains. It would make a good long weekend trip.
Welcome to Texas!