Recomendations for dive sites near DFW

[Garyra]

Hi everyone,

I am new to these boards and to diving. Got OW cert earlier this month and I think I am already addicted to the sport

I am intrested in finding some good dive locations that are close to where I leave (DFW area). My buddy and I went to Athens last weekend and got in a bunch of practice and had a blast. We are really intrested in other locations. Perhaps something deeper and that has some sea life, the only thing we found alive in athens was a crawdad or 2.

Thanks
Gary

 

[UndrWatrDan]

Hi everyone,

I am new to these boards and to diving. Got OW cert earlier this month and I think I am already addicted to the sport

I am intrested in finding some good dive locations that are close to where I leave (DFW area). My buddy and I went to Athens last weekend and got in a bunch of practice and had a blast. We are really intrested in other locations. Perhaps something deeper and that has some sea life, the only thing we found alive in athens was a crawdad or 2.

HI Gary,
There are several places within about a 3 hour drive of DFW.

Clear Springs Scuba Park http://www.clearspringsscubapark.com/
Possum Kingdom Lake http://www.scubapointpk.com/
Lake Whitney http:/www.divewhitney.com
Lake Travis http://www.co.travis.tx.us/tnr/parks/mansfield_dam.asp
http://www.co.travis.tx.us/tnr/parks/bob_wentz.asp


Danny
www.divingrebels.org

 

[scubafanatic]

Hi Garyra,

...your best bet is Clear Springs Scuba Park ( I just got in 2 1/2 hr's of bottom time in 3 dives this past Sunday.) It's twice as deep as Athens (60 ft max versus 30 ft. max) and has twice the surface area...so there's more elbow room.

Athen's main advantages:

admission = $15.00
more under water sunken objects to swim through
being shallow, by mid summer it will be warm top-to-bottom
more 'developed' facilities (for the moment anyway)

Clear Springs main advantages:

has underwater plants/fish/turtles--fun to interact with/watch
better visibility
facilities are improving rapidly, and they have overtaken Athens in terms of ease of access to the water
twice as deep @ 60 ft. max, lots more room to manuever/train/practice.....and lots more interesting underwater terrain to explore (cliffs).

I'd pick Clear Springs hands-down over Athens...much closer to the DFW area, and only $5.00 more per day. The only word of caution is below 25--30 ft. in summer is a strong thermocline were water temps get chilly (60's).....I believe I measured 65 degrees down there...but if you wear proper themal protection it's actually OK.

Possum Kingdom isn't worth the drive...the underwater cliffs are kinda cool, but most of the time I've gone there the visibility was horrendous, too stirred up by OW students.......and Travis is a 3 hr drive from DFW, it's main advantage is it has lots of depth for training/practice....just stay close to shore to avoid getting run over by boats/jetskis.

Karl

 

[domino22]

ya clear springs is your better option. Or DFW airport to some awesome diving, my choice. I did a rescue class at lake whitney try the trinity river it is closer and the same vis.

 

[ScubaTexan]

ya clear springs is your better option. Or DFW airport to some awesome diving, my choice. I did a rescue class at lake whitney try the trinity river it is closer and the same vis.

Just curious -- where have you dived at DFW Airport??

 

[ScubaTexan]

Just out of curiosity -- have any of the DFW Swampers ever dived Eagle Mountain Lake? I don't think I've ever heard of anyone diving there before, but I could be wrong. And if it's anything like PK, then it may or may not be worth pursuing.

 

[Debraw]

I think he means DFW to some awesome diving like Cozumel, Caribbean etc. Ok Ken WAKE UP!!!!!!! :dontgetit

 

[randyjoy]

Just out of curiosity -- have any of the DFW Swampers ever dived Eagle Mountain Lake? I don't think I've ever heard of anyone diving there before, but I could be wrong. And if it's anything like PK, then it may or may not be worth pursuing.

Been there. It's great to practice no vis blackwater diving.