Midwest Regional Dive Sites

The Midwest offers a diverse range of dive sites, from freshwater quarries to Lake Michigan wreck diving, catering to both recreational and technical divers.

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Gilboa Quarry (Ottawa, OH)

Gilboa Quarry is widely regarded as the best Midwest dive site for visibility, consistently outperforming the Chicago-area quarries even on busy weekends. The quarry features a shallow side (~72°F in mid-summer above 20 feet) and a deep side, catering to both recreational and technical divers. Maximum depths exceed 100 feet, with numerous attractions at varying depths. The site is well-equipped, offering on-site air fills, banked Nitrox, and O2 for rebreathers and tech divers, along with basic rental gear. Camping (tent and RV) is available, making it an excellent weekend dive destination. Divers benefit from large docks with submerged platforms, ideal for pre/post-dive staging and training. Tank fills operate via a token system, and it’s best to get fills early, as weekends get busy after noon. With clearer water, solid amenities, and varied depths, Gilboa is a top choice for Midwest divers looking for a well-organized, attraction-filled dive site.

Mermet Springs (Belknap, IL)

Mermet Springs is arguably the best dive site within a days drive of the Chicagoland regional area, offering excellent infrastructure, deep diving opportunities, and unique underwater attractions. The quarry features significant thermoclines, with temperatures dropping to 50°F or lower below 40 feet—so a drysuit or 7mm wetsuit is highly recommended for deeper dives. The site boasts a well-managed air fill station, including custom Nitrox blends via partial pressure filling (requiring O2-clean tanks). Underwater navigation is easy, as major attractions and training platforms (down to 100 feet) are connected by well-marked guide lines. Massive catfish patrol the waters, unbothered by divers. The gazebo-based setup is top-tier, providing picnic tables, gear storage, and pre-hung whiteboards for planning dives. Night diving is allowed on select days, making this a great destination for advanced training. Whether for deep, technical, or DPV dives, Mermet Springs is unmatched in the region.

• Bonne Terre Mine in Bonne Terre, MO
• France Park in Longansport, IN
• Philips Outdoor Center in Muncie, IN
• Penny Royal Scuba in Hopkinsville, KY
• Natural Springs Resort in New Paris, OH
• Gray Quarry in Gray, TN
• Fortune Pond in Crystal Falls, MI
• Canton Lake in Canton, IL
• Lake Wazee, Black River Falls, WI
• White Star Quarry in Gibsonburg, OH
• "Big Blue" in Lester Milligan Park in Mason City IA
• Turkey Ridge in Janesville, IA
• Lake Okoboji in Northwestern IA
• Beaver Lake, Arkansas
• Bull Shoals Lake, Arkansas
• Table Rock Lake, MO