Things to Know
- Better visibility than any of the local Chicago quarries. Even on the weekends with 100s(?) of divers.
- Generally open from 9am to 5pm with extended hours on Friday and Saturday
- The quarry has a shallow side and a deep side with shallow side temperatures in Mid-Summer of ~72F above the first thermocline at ~20ft.
- There are onsite air-fills ($10) including banked Nitrox30 ($12) as well as straight O2 for the tech/rebreather divers. You buy air-fill tokens inside the office.
- Dive Instructors with a class dive for free as well as free Air/Nitrox Fills
- They do have some basic rental equipment available
- They have tent and RV camping available
- Excellent dive entry sites with large docks with submerged platforms at the edge of the stairs which work great for pre/post dive debriefs.
- Many many many attractions at various depths
- If you want a tank fill, go into the office and buy a token. Put the token around the valve of your tank. Place the tank in the "Drop Off" side (outside) of the fill station door. Either wait or come back later and your tank will be on the "Pick Up" side (outside) of the fill station door. On the weekends it can get VERY busy after Noon when many people have done their first dive or two and need fills. Plan accordingly.
How to Check-In
Step 0: Before you arrive - fill out the liability forms online and submit.
Step 1: Enter thru the gate and bare right as you pass the first set of buildings on your right. If not busy, you can quickly stop in front of the main office. But better to just park in the first parking lot on your left.
Step 2: Go into the office and pay your daily rate and register with them. You will get a wrist band that is color coded for the day/weekend/length of stay.
Step 3: Ask them about current reservations and where to park as it depends on how busy they are.
Step 4: They have 50(?) metal rolling carts for you to put dive gear and tanks in if you need to transport items from a parking spot to a dive location or vice-versa.
Step 5: Go Diving
Step 1: Enter thru the gate and bare right as you pass the first set of buildings on your right. If not busy, you can quickly stop in front of the main office. But better to just park in the first parking lot on your left.
Step 2: Go into the office and pay your daily rate and register with them. You will get a wrist band that is color coded for the day/weekend/length of stay.
Step 3: Ask them about current reservations and where to park as it depends on how busy they are.
Step 4: They have 50(?) metal rolling carts for you to put dive gear and tanks in if you need to transport items from a parking spot to a dive location or vice-versa.
Step 5: Go Diving