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Top Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in Arkansas

The top 8 dive and snorkel sites in Arkansas, ranked by diver reviews, with maps and photos. Read the Arkansas guide

dive sites
8
dive shops
8
reviews
27
AreasBenton County2Marion County1
8 sites, ranked by diver reviews
No photos yet
1

Lake Greeson

5.0(1 review)Arkansas, USA Mid

Lake Greeson is surrounded by woods with almost no development on the lake. This is a beautiful hilly area. Visibility can range from near none to 20 feet. Diving is best done during the week as boat traffic can reduce visibility on weekends. Laurel Creek is a relatively low traffic area and offers easy shore entry. With something as simple as a sit on top kayak, other sites such as rock walls are readily available. Lake Greeson is just north of the town of Murfreesboro, AR. Hwy 19 from Murfreesboro will take you to the dam and parks on the west side of the lake. The best opportunities for scuba are off Hwy 27 between Murfreesboro and Hot Springs. Signs point to park areas such as Cow Hide Creek and Laurel Creek

Shore entry
No photos yet
2

Bull Shoals

4.5(2 reviews)Arkansas, USA Mid

Man made Corps of Engineers lake. Mostly rock bottom, submerged trees, and lots of freshwater fish. Spotted freshwater jelly fish last fall. Dive shop and air refills at main dock. Houseboats for rent for weekend dive trips. Http://www.bullshoalslakeboatdock.com/ Lots of places to dive - shallow and 100 ft+ walls. Worth looking into for a weekend or week-long boat trip. Part of the Ozarks waterways.

Shore entry
No photos yet
3

Lake Ouachita

4.1(8 reviews)Arkansas, USA Mid

Lake Ouachita is a 50 year old government power pool not available for commercial or residential development and is therefore (according to the EPA) the 2nd cleanest lake in the US! It is ~ 11 miles wide by ~33 miles long. There are four major (?) resorts that skirt Lake Ouachita, and no further are planned. All are reasonable and clean, not fancy. Dive flags are respected. Literally hundreds of dive sites (pick your own!) are available. Ark. Is one of the few states where spear fishing is legal! Get a fishing license! Viz ranges from "can't see your hand in front of your fact to 20' in summer. Winter the vis has been known to open up below the thermocline to 50-60'. Three dive shops are available. Most are closed in the winter, so seek tank refills/equipment in Hot Springs. Great lake to dive lot of fauna but too much flora! Trying to get the moss under control. From Hot Springs, AR, there are several accesses to Lake Ouachita (pronounced Wash-it-aw). Take US Hwy 270 west for all accesses including Spillway Resort (at the extreme East end of the lake), Brady Mountain Lodge & Marina, Crystal Springs Resort & Marina and Mountain Harbor Resort & Marina (at the extreme west end of the lake). From Little Rock, AR, take I-30 to US70 to Hot Springs then to US270. From I-30 south, take the first Hot Springs exit and go 35 miles on AR Hwy 7 to Hot Springs then to US 270. Lake Ouachita is accessible from Oklahoma by taking US Hwy 270 to the East.

Shore entry
No photos yet
4

Lake Norfolk

4.2(5 reviews)Arkansas, USA Mid

Lake Norfolk is a 4.2-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Arkansas, USA Mid which is accessible from shore based on 5 ratings.

Shore entry
No photos yet
5

Beaver Lake

3.5(11 reviews)Arkansas, USA Mid

Featuring 28,000 acres of clear water that attracts thousands of water sports lovers, fishermen, hikers, and birdwatchers, Beaver Lake is located in the Ozark Highlands near Rogers and features forests, tall bluffs, and meadows crisscrossed by hiking trails. Beaver Lake is nationally renowned for bass fishing and has even become a destination for many fishing tournaments. Boating, scuba diving, water skiing, wakeboarding, kayaking, swimming, and picnicking are just as popular. Suit up, grab the towels and sunscreen, and get to Beaver Lake for some fun in the sun!

Shore entry
No photos yet
6

Lake Erling

No reviews yetArkansas, USA Mid

Depth 20 to 30 viz 3' good blackwater dive if you don't mind the gators. Arkansas Louisiana line just north of Springhill

Shore entry
No photos yet
7

Bull Shoals Lake

No reviews yetUSA, Arkansas

House boat diving weekends. Bull Shoals Boat Dock

BeginnerMax depth 40 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
8

Beaver Lake - Dam Site Bluffs

No reviews yetUSA, Arkansas

Beaver Lake - Dam Site Bluffs is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in USA, Arkansas which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

BeginnerMax depth 29.9 ftShore or Boat entry
Snorkeling & Scuba Map of Arkansas: numbered map of the top 3 dive and snorkel sites, with ratings
578
Numbers match the ranked list of Arkansas dive and snorkel sites. Full map with key

Top dive shops in Arkansas

All 8
Beaver Dam Dive Shop & Resort
4.9 (61) · Eureka Springs
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Jordan Marina
4.7 (234) · Jordan
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Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock
4.6 (232) · Bull Shoals
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Scuba Doo Dive Shop
4.7 (37) · Mountain Home
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Arkansas diving guide

Ready to check out the best sites in Arkansas for scuba diving, snorkeling, shore diving, free diving or other ocean activities? Zentacle has 8 dive sites, snorkel spots, beaches, and more. Discover hand-curated maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best dive and snorkel sites in Arkansas?

Based on Zentacle reviews, the top-rated sites in Arkansas are Lake Greeson (5.0 from 1 review), Bull Shoals (4.5 from 2 reviews) and Lake Ouachita (4.1 from 8 reviews).

Where can I shore dive in Arkansas?

Lake Greeson, Bull Shoals, Lake Ouachita and Lake Norfolk are the top-rated sites you can enter from shore.

Are there dive shops in Arkansas?

Zentacle lists 8 dive shops in Arkansas. The top-rated are Beaver Dam Dive Shop & Resort (4.9 from 61 reviews) and Jordan Marina (4.7 from 234 reviews).