Las Vegas area dive info needed

[DvrRick]

From what I understand unless you have a boat the only place with anything to look at is the scuba park which is at Lake Mead Marina.

Is the scuba park pretty nice? I'm sure it doesn't compare to the scuba park at Catalina but that is ok.

 

[Archangel1679]

Is the scuba park pretty nice? I'm sure it doesn't compare to the scuba park at Catalina but that is ok.

I've only dove there once when I first moved to Vegas. It's Ok but I haven't been there since the water has gotten super low. I believe they relocated some of the attractions there so they are underwater again. Bouyancy control is essential when diving in the scuba park. The bottom is very silty and if you kick it up the vis turns bad quite fast. When I dove it last the Vis was about 30' where we were diving but about 5 or less near the OW class that was floundering on the bottom. That was in January though so the algae bloom may put the vis a bit lower this time of year as it's still pretty warm here. Your best bet would be to call one of the Local Dive Shops to ask about current conditions and the amount of thermal protection you'll need. I know in the summer many divers will use 3mm here but I don't know what the current water temp is. I'm guessing 7mm would be your best bet this time of year but you probably won't need a hood unless you get cold easy. (Keep in mind that this is coming from a guy who learned to dive in Tahoe in the Winter so my description of Cold can be a bit skewed by some people's standards.)

 

[DvrRick]

Thanks for the info, I've decided to not dive while I'm there since it doesn't sound like a very good dive. I'll try to dive Lake Mojave the next time I'm out that way, I hear viz is really good there. I just can't see diving murky waters without anything interesting to see (Because of the low water) when I live right next to the Pacific Ocean.

 

[Archangel1679]

Thanks for the info, I've decided to not dive while I'm there since it doesn't sound like a very good dive. I'll try to dive Lake Mojave the next time I'm out that way, I hear viz is really good there. I just can't see diving murky waters without anything interesting to see (Because of the low water) when I live right next to the Pacific Ocean.

Let me know when you plan to come out. My wife and I have been meaning to dive Mojave for a while so maybe we'll join you.

 

[DvrRick]

Let me know when you plan to come out. My wife and I have been meaning to dive Mojave for a while so maybe we'll join you.

I will defininitely let you know. I should make a decision in the next week, it invloves changing a return flight from saturday to monday. Thanks again Archangel1679.

 

[California Diver]

theres a b-29 in lake mead. the vis in mead is supposed to good, 40 ft or so. theres lots of wrecks and other stuff to check out.

 

[Dive-aholic]

I've only dove there once when I first moved to Vegas. It's Ok but I haven't been there since the water has gotten super low. I believe they relocated some of the attractions there so they are underwater again. Bouyancy control is essential when diving in the scuba park. The bottom is very silty and if you kick it up the vis turns bad quite fast. When I dove it last the Vis was about 30' where we were diving but about 5 or less near the OW class that was floundering on the bottom. That was in January though so the algae bloom may put the vis a bit lower this time of year as it's still pretty warm here. Your best bet would be to call one of the Local Dive Shops to ask about current conditions and the amount of thermal protection you'll need. I know in the summer many divers will use 3mm here but I don't know what the current water temp is. I'm guessing 7mm would be your best bet this time of year but you probably won't need a hood unless you get cold easy. (Keep in mind that this is coming from a guy who learned to dive in Tahoe in the Winter so my description of Cold can be a bit skewed by some people's standards.)

The staff at the LDSs there don't dive Mead often enough to know updated information. You would need to ask one of the instructors, and they don't hang around the shop much. Last time I was there (May), I dove a 3mm and it was very comfortable. One of my dives lasted over an hour (really shallow at the park).

As for what's down there to see - not much. I dive it simply because it's a dive. I go to Vegas a few times a year and usually head over to the lake during the day to get wet and practice skills. I hit Mohave on the way up and the way back for a full day for practice dives and to play around in the "wrecks".

I used to fly there, but now I drive there so I can dive. I also dive local lakes with zero viz for S&R, so if I can see anything, even the bottom, it's a treat. That's also why I travel so much. It's hard being a diver in the desert!

 

[DvrRick]

theres a b-29 in lake mead. the vis in mead is supposed to good, 40 ft or so. theres lots of wrecks and other stuff to check out.

I thought the B-29 was still off-limits. Has that changed lately? I think that would be a very interesting dive.

 

[California Diver]

talk to greg at indepthconsulting hes the one that found it, he'd know

 

[DvrRick]

talk to greg at indepthconsulting hes the one that found it, he'd know

Thanks, I'd love to check it out. Maybe in October I'll get the chance.