Things to Know
- Considered by many to be better than Haigh (because of water clarity) but not as good as Pearl (because of attractions)
- Generally open from dawn to dusk between late April/Early May and Early/Late October...depends on seasonal weather patterns.
- Temps are generally around 60F at depth with most people wearing at least a 5mm. 7mm or Drysuit in April/May and October is highly recommended
- No scuba shop on site, no air fills, no nothing. Unlikely to have O2 or other scuba specific rescue equipment so bring your own.
- You must dive with a buddy per park rules. They do NOT accept the solo card.
- Stay inside the roped/buoyed off area. Boats with trolling motors are on the water. There's nothing to see outside the scuba zone anyway.
- Park rules require a dive flag, but most of us simply float an SMB tied to platform 1 to show we are in the water
- There are two shops within 5 mins of Three Oaks for air fills and rentals. But be aware they are closed on Sunday.
- Sea Level Diving (literally just outside the park)
- Crystal Blue Diving (less than 5 min away)
- There is a very nice sloping gravel beach entry area as well as a dock if you want to practice giant strides
- It is not uncommon to see Bass, Pike, Blue Gill and the resident scuba zone Catfish
Diving Activities
- Most Saturday and Sunday mornings during the diving season there will be OW checkout divers and other instruction occurring
- Several evenings a week, Sea Level Diving, offers an "after work" fun dive with a guide/DM/instructor
- Limited to 6 people because they provide transportation from their shop
- Must pre-register
- Costs $30 (includes park dive fee). So basically costs you an extra $5 for their support and a DiveMaster
- No dive buddy required
- Be ready to go and checked in at the shop by 5:45pm
- Rental equipment not included
How to Check-In
Step 1: Pay for parking when you arrive at gate ($5/day)
Step 2: Stay to the left as you enter the parking area and go all the way around to the boat launch area
Step 3: Walk down to boat launch and go around to the other side of the building and go up to the window and tell them you are here for scuba diving
Step 4: Show your Open Water card, sign the liability waiver, pay $20 for all day. (Their website says you have to hand over your card, but I've never had anyone actually ask to keep it)
Step 5: Unload in parking lot and setup on the park benches. Some people drive down to the park benches, which is not technically allowed.
Step 6: Have fun
Step 7: Before you leave, go to the Boat Launch window and tell them you are out of the water.
Step 2: Stay to the left as you enter the parking area and go all the way around to the boat launch area
Step 3: Walk down to boat launch and go around to the other side of the building and go up to the window and tell them you are here for scuba diving
Step 4: Show your Open Water card, sign the liability waiver, pay $20 for all day. (Their website says you have to hand over your card, but I've never had anyone actually ask to keep it)
Step 5: Unload in parking lot and setup on the park benches. Some people drive down to the park benches, which is not technically allowed.
Step 6: Have fun
Step 7: Before you leave, go to the Boat Launch window and tell them you are out of the water.
Dive Map as of Oct 2023
- The buoys, boats and other attractions have been known to move so the map is for general reference only
- Maximum practical depth of 40ft
- There are 3 permanent platforms, all are roughly 10x10ft, 25ft deep and 100ft apart
- Platform 1 is a leisurely swim of about 100ft from the waters edge and has a buoy on it for help descending
- There is a basic buoyancy course, some culverts for short swim through and two small row boats for attraction
- As of Winter 2023, it is possible to start at Platform 1 and do a full circuit using lines. A full circuit is roughly 800ft of travel and will take roughly 20min / half a tank of air.
- Though deco is not generally needed given the maximum depth, many divers practice their "safety stop" at Platform 1 using the buoy downline before exiting North / "up slope" to the gravel beach