Balmorhea State Park in June

[Texasdivechick]

Has anyone dove Balmorhea? I've heard the spring-fed pool is an interesting dive and I will be there June 17-18 (w/ a group of nondivers) on my way to Big Bend. Can anyone recommend dive operators (if there are any in the desert!) that rent/ fill tanks? Will anyone be there on these dates 'cause I need a buddy!

 

[UndrWatrDan]

There is a scuba shop just around the corner from the State Park. Diving at Balmorhea is an altitude dive.

Toyahvale Desert Oasis
SCUBA shop and San Solomon Springs Outfitter
Neta & Darrel Rhyne
P.O. Box 11, Toyahvale, Texas 79786
(915) 375-2572
oasis@overland.net
Website: www.toyahvale.com

 

[RICHinNC]

Yes, actually I did.
I was TDY at Ft Bliss and drove over to Balmorhea. On the way there I went through a customs (?) check...in the middle of Texas???.....and the guy asked me where I was going. I told him ...diving. He looked at me really weird then I pointed out my dive gear in the back seat and told him where I was going and he let me go. Weird.

Be sure to dive early as you can because there are tons of classes going on and by noon they have mucked up the viz to the max.

 

[Texasdivechick]

Balmorhea is actually an altitude dive? I had no idea! What is the altitude there? I'm a new diver and haven't taken the PADI altitude specialty. Will this be a problem? I am passing through Balmorhea on my way to go white water rafting with a group of nondivers. They are making this pit stop as a favor to me. Thanks underwaterdan and richinnc for the responses.
BTW, what is there to see at bottom? What was the dive actually like?

 

[RICHinNC]

Imagine a wagon wheel with only two spokes. There is the center part and two channels going out from there. The water is really clear until the OW classes all get in and sit on the bottom and muck it up. You will see a few fish and a couple of turtles. I dont remember the depth being very much except at the center.

It is an interesting dive.....just get there very early in the morning.

 

[UndrWatrDan]

Balmorhea is fed by warm springs and has extremely clear water and is a constant 72-76 degrees year round. The springs bubble up through the sand at its maximum depth of about 22 feet. There are two species of fish that are not found elsewhere along with turtles and crayfish. Balmorhea is right at 3,500 feet above sea level.
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/balmorhea/

 

[dgreenh]

Balmorhea may be an altitude dive but at 20' deep it really isn't deep enough to make any difference. If you can make it on a weekday instead of Saturday or Sunday you will have a much better dive experience. There are usually no classes going on during the week and very few divers. Here is the link to the Toyahvale dive shop You might want to call and make sure they will be open. They used to only be open on weekends... sometimes.