The Meadows Center - "Aquarena Springs"

[Sushi Boy]

gkrane - for someone driving in from Arizona, paying to take the class at Aquarena probably wouldn't make sense unless you travel to the hilll country frequently for work or to visit family. For anyone within about a 4 hour radius of San Marcos though, I would definitely recommend it.

Charles2 - investigate the local dive clubs if it's buddies you're looking for. They frequently do trips to Aquarena/the Meadows Center and other dive sites around Texas and you'll find your options of dive sites expand quickly when you have a group of active divers to go with. I'm partial to CHUM, our online forums and Dive Buddy Board foster interaction (we have some members from your area) and we have regular activities both diving and social that help you get to know people, but there are several good ones around.

 

[gkrane]

I wouldn't be driving from AZ. I will be living in the Corpus Christi area permanently after the new year.

 

[ReefHound]

removed

 

[Charles2]

Charles2 - investigate the local dive clubs if it's buddies you're looking for. They frequently do trips to Aquarena/the Meadows Center and other dive sites around Texas and you'll find your options of dive sites expand quickly when you have a group of active divers to go with. I'm partial to CHUM, our online forums and Dive Buddy Board foster interaction (we have some members from your area) and we have regular activities both diving and social that help you get to know people, but there are several good ones around.

Thanks for the suggestion. Maybe I can get to a CHUM meeting in the new year.

Cheers
Charles

 

[Bill Parker]

It amuses me when people skip over Spring Lake. The next time I go
I'll split the gasoline and hotel costs 50/50 so it will cost me about
$50 for three dives and we'll have a great time. Since flying has
become so expensive and annoying Spring Lake is a great option for
a short dive trip that doesn't use up any precious vacation time.

 

[James R]

FYI - Student price is $40 per diver per day for classes with a qualified/authorized instructor, and you must stay within the training area.

The viz in the training area varies greatly as some classes can be seen standing on the bottom to do their skills, while other days it's really nice. Fortunately, as a volunteer, you aren't often assigned training area tasks -- although it could use some cleanup as of the last time I was there (a couple weeks ago).

 

[Charles2]

It amuses me when people skip over Spring Lake. The next time I go I'll split the gasoline and hotel costs 50/50 so it will cost me about $50 for three dives and we'll have a great time. Since flying has become so expensive and annoying Spring Lake is a great option for a short dive trip that doesn't use up any precious vacation time.

Always delighted to provide a little amusement into an anyone's dreary day. Unfortunately, I just don't think that I could do the drive, three dives, and an overnight for $50 - even if my wife would allow me to share a hotel with someone. Thanks for the advice anyway.

Cheers,
Charles

 

[gkrane]

This appears to be very close to Austin correct? If so it may be a good place for me to dive with my brother and neice who live in Austin. Is there an age limit to take the course?

 

[driftwood]

FYI - Student price is $40 per diver per day for classes with a qualified/authorized instructor, and you must stay within the training area.

The viz in the training area varies greatly as some classes can be seen standing on the bottom to do their skills, while other days it's really nice. Fortunately, as a volunteer, you aren't often assigned training area tasks -- although it could use some cleanup as of the last time I was there (a couple weeks ago).

Thanks for the update on student pricing.

When the underwater theater was operating, they cleaned the bottom daily with 2" water hoses. Ethan used to have us clean the bottom with scooters, but their use is limited these days. They work well to move algae and kick up the sediment in the TA and places like Riverbed. You have to be careful in where/how you use them. One staff member blew all the sand out of Cream of Wheat using a scooter to "fin" the site.

---------- Post added November 25th, 2015 at 10:45 PM ----------

This appears to be very close to Austin correct? If so it may be a good place for me to dive with my brother and neice who live in Austin. Is there an age limit to take the course?

Call it 30 minute south along IH 35 from downtown Austin (nonrush hour) and I have never heard of an age limit to take the class.

 

[ReefHound]

If anyone dived there this past weekend and lost a mask/snorkel, I found it under the exit ramp in the training area and turned it in at the ticket office. The hydrilla is really getting overgrown around the exit point. We looked like Christmas trees walking up the ramp.