Missouri

St. Francois County

Divers will travel far and wide to find the best diving. But those who live in the United States have plenty of great diving on their doorstep as well, with plentiful access to the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. From warm-water reefs to temperate seas, here are some of the top places to scuba dive in the United States.

United States

Very unique dive. Great winter dive as temperatures are essentially constant year round.



Bonne Terre

Bonne Terre Mine

The Dive Stop is a commercial operation that features (generally) excellent visibility year round. Nearly all of the area around the quarry drains away from the lake, which minimizes visibility loss due to runoff. The quarry features several sunken 'toys' including a 32 ft. cabin cruiser, two trucks, 16 ft. open bow boat and a motorcycle along with several other items. There are two new docks, a newly installed beach, two training platforms, a picnic area, primitive camping and several canopied covered tables. Wildlife includes bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish, turtles and a beaver.  The vis usually ranges 15-25 feet at the surface, 20-25 feet at 20 feet, and deteriorates below the thermocline to 5-10 feet. The quarry is approximately 70 feet deep.  The quarry owners have developed it into a commercial venture over the last two years, and all of the amenities are less than 2 years old at the time of this writing (Spring, 2009) and in excellent condition.  Hours and pricing are available at the quarry's website, http://www.dive-stop.com

The Dive Stop is a commercial dive quarry located at 3960 Highway Z New Melle, MO 63365. The quarry is located about 30 miles west of downtown St. Louis, just south of I-70. From St. Louis, drive west on I-70 until you get to Wentzville. The turnoff for Route Z is JUST past the I-70/Highway 61 (to Troy & Hannibal) cloverleaf... be in the right lane after the 61 North exit. The highway Z exit is less than 1/2 mile past the cloverleaf. When you exit, turn left (south) of the ramp and follow highway Z about 6 miles. The Dive Stop will be on the left (lots of flags and an office structure will be obvious... it is well marked).

Dive Stop

This site is a rock quarry, but has been managed for a few years by divers. There is a sunken Chevy, a motorcycle, two boats, and a training platform at 30 ft . Water is cold, even in summer. Visibility is decent, very little fish population.

West of Saint Louis, just up to New Melle.

The Dive Stop

Mermet Springs offers submerged training platforms, easy entry docks, dives from 15 to 120 feet in depth and numerous sunken treasures to explore.  Treasures include trucks, school bus, boats, Boeing 727 from the movie U.S. Marshalls, train car, ambulance, fire truck, one man sub, and a helicopter cockpit.  From the main diving dock, you'll see schools of large bluegill, giant albino channel catfish and further down Spoonbills!

The water visibility at Mermet Springs is can range from 15 feet to over 60 feet.  Water temperature varies with the Midwest seasons and ranges to the low 40s at depth during winter, and to the mid 80s above the thermocline in the summer.


Mermet, Southeast of Saint Louis

Mermet Springs

Mermet Springs is a scuba diving location in Vienna, Illinois. The spring is a former limestone quarry that has been filled with water. The quarry is 120 feet deep and has a variety of fish and other aquatic life.

Mermet Springs, Vienna

House boat diving weekends.

Bull Shoals Boat Dock

Bull Shoals Lake

Cerulean Springs is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in USA, Kentucky which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Cerulean Springs

Dive Cerulean, Cerulean is a 4.166666666666667-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Kentucky, USA East which is accessible from shore based on 6 ratings.

Dive Cerulean, Cerulean



Just outside of Branson, MO.  This lake is great for certification and additional training.

Table Rock Lake

Duck Island is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in USA, Missouri which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Duck Island

The best diving Kentucky has to offer. A perfect getaway for divers to enjoy.  I did

Located in Hopkinsville Kentucky

Bonne Terre Mine

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Bonne Terre Mine