Pennsylvania

Lebanon 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

Abandon limestone quarry, turned into Scuba park.

Millardsville

Willow Springs is also known as Millards Quarry Pond.

Millardsville

Willow Springs

Willow Springs Park is a lovely little scuba park on Millards Quarry Pond with tons of sunken attractions like cars, trains, boats, and other goodies.  Water is COLD!  Viz is usually about 10-20 feet at best.  If you are familiar with Dutch Springs Scuba Park then you get the idea.  Nice facilities, heated bathrooms, full service dive shop, swimming area, ramp for handicapped divers. From the Willow Springs web site:  "Over 600,000 divers have safely certified with us at Willow Springs Park. You are invited to join them at one of the finest diving facilities in the Northeast.  You'll find that we have designed the park specifically for your convenience and safety, with dozens of attractive features"  All Divers: $20.00 a day, Non Divers: $6.00. Night Diving $10.00 by special arrangement.  No Boats, No Pets.  Season Passes Available ($140.00) Passes good March 1, 2005 to Feb. 28, 2006. Weekends 1st Weekend in March - Memorial Day, Daily - Memorial Day - Labor Day.  Weekends Labor Day - To Weekend before Thanksgiving.  WWW.WILLOWSPRINGSPARK.COM

www.willowspringspark.com/WGdirect.htm gives you all the info you need to get to Richland, PA.

Willow Springs Park

There are two entry points to this old quarry, but the best follows sunken road and remains shallow -- no more than 20 feet. During the summer and early fall the dive can be done is a shorty wet suit, and the diver is guaranteed to see bluegill, bass and other freshwater fish native to the area. Of course, there are deeper dives -- 100-feet plus -- in much colder water.

Along the east shore of the Susquhana River about 10 miles north of Route 30 or 15 miles south of Harrisburg off of Route 441.

Bainbridge Sportsman's Club

Lots to see. Many sunken objects such as airplanes, cement trucks, bulldozers, and such. Very relaxing dive

Set up gear at picnic tables underneath pavilians and walk about 10-30 feet straight into the water. Slight sloping ground.

Bainbridge Sportsmanship Club is also known as Access A.

Bainbridge Sportsmanship Club

This quarry is riddled with lots of sunken objects. Boats, trains, trucks, and lots of old motorcycles. There are convenient lines linking all of the sunken sights so navigation is impossible to lose. At the access, there is a lagoon around 30 feet deep. Then, it drops to the maximum depth of 80 feet. Visibility is much better than most other quarries in the region.

Access is quite easy. There are stairs into the water and also a floating dock for a giant stride entry. Very easy access.

Guppy Gulch

It's used a lot for training and open water checkouts because there are numerous platforms submerged at 25 - 30 ft. There are also quite a few attractions including a sunken fire truck, Cessna air plane, school bus, Sikorsky helicopter, trolley car, several boats and other assorted vehicles. There are also remnants of some of the quarry equipment.



Dutch Springs

Here's a fin-tastic opportunity for those who are scuba certified to dive in the Shark Realm exhibit. You'll get face-to-teeth with sandtiger sharks, sandbar sharks, nurse sharks, green sawfish and barracuda.  Guests will receive instructions regarding procedures and guidelines before entering the encounter. 

Camden/Philadelphia

Adventure Aquarium

Hydes Quarry

There have been at least two railroad accidents at this spot: the first on May 18, 1948, and the second in the evening of September 11, 1975. In the first derailment, the locomotive jumped the tracks, killing two crewmen. The cars somehow stayed on the tracks, sparing the 76 passengers. It is rumored that the locomotive is still somewhere in the river mud, but there is little evidence of this. In the second accident, two engines and thirteen cars of a freight train went into the river. The train’s crew was unhurt in a third engine. Most of the wreckage was cleaned up, but several cars remain, including a closed boxcar in 14 ft of Miller Beerwater, and nearby a flatbed car with a semi-trailer full of real Miller beer bottles In the CNJ tables of the FRA database, this wreck is listed. The specifics are: Lead unit CNJ 3068, nearest station is listed as Slateford Junction, temperature was 62 degrees, train speed was 37 mph, train number was 99 (ES-99), with 2460 tons, 17 loads, 41 empties, equipment damage was $546,840, track damage was $11,243, for a wreck total of $558,093. It also lists the time as 8:18 pm.

This information was also found about DWG:
Most of the people who have been on the train wreck will probably tell you it’s a ’one and done’ dive. From what I’ve personally seen, it’s either hit or miss. That also depends on if anyone has been on the wreck before you got there. On a good day you can almost make out the wreck from the surface. The top of the wreck starts around 7ft in the summer time, with a deep, dark hole downstream at the back bottoming out around 14ft. Getting to the wreck site is only part of the fun. There is a large parking lot across the highway from the river, however I would suggest that you park on the shoulder and unload there. Just before the road rounds the corner, and the wall starts on the train tracks is a large area to pull off on. It’s far safer unloading here. In fact, while I don’t know if it’s legal or not, we just simply parked there without problem. Playing dodge-car isn’t much fun with your arms full of expensive equipment. Even more fun will be had getting your equipment from the road to the river. The easiest way I’ve found so far to get your kit to the water, besides making your buddy carry it for you, is to assemble it by your car, put it on, and hike down the bank to the water’s edge. Securing a rope to hold onto is highly suggested here, not only for the trip down, but also for the trip back up the bank. Once you’re ready to get in, be absolutely certain you have your diver down flag, and a person on shore if at all possible. One of the first things you will notice in this area is that boaters have NO clue what a diver down flag means. Your surface support person will most likely have to wave off a boat or two. The easiest way to hit very closely, if not right on top of the wreck, is to enter the water next to the yellow painted railroad rail on your left, and the large tree on your right. With the tree directly behind you, take a bearing straight across the river, submerge, and head out approx. 20ft. This should run you into the boxcar. Most of the remaining freight car is full of river muck now, with lots of fishing hooks, and monofilament all over the area. You will definitely need a good sharp knife. Every now and then, you might find yourself face to mask with rather large pike. Search in the muck, on the side heading out to the river and you might come up with a bottle or two. The rest of the wreck is located upstream from the boxcar. Current is almost non-existent here in the summer when the water is lower, and you’ll be in a very slight back eddy. Take your time and look around. More bottles from the wreck have been found upstream in the 2002 summer season. If you decide on heading out towards the center of the river, be warned that it comes close to 50ft, it’s cold, dark, and murky. You will want a light with you, and watch out for the current. It can get very swift in the channel. From the reports of the others that dove with us the last time we were there, there’s not much to see out that far besides discarded tires, and trash.

Delaware Water Gap (Beer Train Wreck)

The visibility here is usually good, although the silty bottom stirs up at the slightest touch. The usual diving area has a maximum depth of about 60 ft, although in other spots the reservoir is much deeper. Entry is a short hike down a grassy slope to a pebble beach. There is an underwater training platform, and often you will find an O/W class there. Water temps get up into the high 70's later in the season, although it is chilly below the 30 ft thermocline.  The surrounding park is an exceptionally beautiful place, and many people go for swimming, fishing, picnicking, hiking and cycling.  Unfortunately, compared to the ocean, Round Valley is a relatively dull dive. Mud, rocks, snails, and a few fish can be found, as well as huge stands of water plants later in the season.  NJSCUBA.NET has very detailed info and nice photos on Round Valley.

Located by the town of Clinton, NJ in Round Valley State Park.  About a 90 minute drive from NYC.  About 40 minutes away from another popular local dive, Dutch Springs.

Willow Springs

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Willow Springs