Dive Site Guide · Illinois
Haigh Quarry
Haigh Quarry is a privately operated scuba site and one of the busiest training locations near Chicago. Conditions change with season and diver traffic, and visibility often drops on crowded days. This guide covers fees, hours, check-in, typical water temperatures, visibility patterns, activities, and map notes so you can plan safe, efficient dives.
Site Snapshot
- Type
- Privately operated scuba quarry
- Typical depth
- Around 20 ft; deep hole near 70 ft
- Season / hours
- Generally dawn to dusk April through September; weekends only in October
- Entry fee
- $25 per day; no parking fee
- Temperature
- Low 70s F at the surface; low 60s near 45 ft; sharp drop in the deep hole
- Exposure
- At least 5 mm; 7 mm or drysuit recommended outside the shallows
- Fills / support
- On-site basic gear, rentals, and while-you-wait air fills
- Visibility
- Can drop to 5 ft or less after heavy use
- Entry
- Gradual sand and gravel slope near the main entry
- Activities
- Training, skills practice, and underwater attractions
- Plan Your Visit
Things to Know
- Privately owned and operated, focused exclusively on diving.
- Often has the lowest visibility of the three main local sites. This is likely due to quarry size and high diver volume. It can see three times the traffic of Pearl and far more than Three Oaks, which keeps particles suspended.
- Open generally dawn to dusk April through September, and weekends only in October.
- $25 per day to dive, no parking fee.
- Summer surface temps are often in the low 70s in popular areas, dropping to the low 60s near 45 ft, with a sharp drop in the deep hole. Most divers use at least a 5 mm. A 7 mm or a drysuit is recommended outside the shallows.
- On-site shop offers basic gear, rentals, and while-you-wait air fills.
- Bluegill can be aggressive. Minor nips are common around hands and exposed skin.
Diving Activities
- Gradual sand and gravel slope near the main entry supports easy skills practice.
- Ample space for tables, chairs, and group setups.
- Many local dive shops train here.
- Shops and groups also host day trips. Join their lists to track schedules:
- Average depth around 20 ft, with a deep hole near 70 ft.
- Several underwater attractions exist, but visibility can drop to 5 ft or less after heavy use. Expect limited sight lines in the afternoon on busy training days.
How to Check-In
- Exit I-57 at E North St / E 2000 N Road and head east.
- Turn right at the sign. The entrance resembles a campground.
- The clubhouse is on the left with parking on the right.
- Present your Open Water card, sign the waiver, and pay $25 for the day.
- Gear up and dive.
Dive Map
Dive Map Notes
- Recent high quality maps are hard to find.
- The north side is often silted by entry training. The south side may offer better visibility.
- Attraction markers can be sparse. Plan on searching and use compass navigation.