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Top Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in South Dakota

The top 7 dive and snorkel sites in South Dakota, ranked by diver reviews, with maps and photos. Read the South Dakota guide

dive sites
7
dive shop
1
reviews
4
AreasCharles Mix County2Pennington County1Hughes County1
7 sites, ranked by diver reviews
No photos yet
1

Lake Francis Case

5.0(1 review)Nebraska, USA Mid

In southeast South Dakota, not far from the Nebraska border, visitors come to this Midwest site for its variety of recreational opportunities. The lake, formed behind the Fort Randall Dam on the Missouri River, covers 100,000 square acres (40,000 hectares). Dive shops use the lake for open-water training, and an annual spearfishing tournament is held there as well. Many divers prefer the east side of the lake where boat ramps are plentiful and the bottom is more rocky and less muddy than on the west side. The lake is named after Francis H. Case, a Republican Congressman from South Dakota, whose main goals were to expand America’s road and waterway infrastructure.

Shore entry
No photos yet
2

Ft. Randall Reservoir, Kearney

5.0(1 review)Nebraska, USA Mid

Ft. Randall Reservoir, Kearney is a 5.0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Nebraska, USA Mid which is accessible from shore based on 1 ratings.

Shore entry
No photos yet
3

Pactola Lake, Rapid City

4.5(2 reviews)South Dakota, USA Mid

Pactola Lake, Rapid City is a 4.5-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in South Dakota, USA Mid which is accessible from shore based on 2 ratings.

Shore entry
No photos yet
4

Pontiac Wagon

No reviews yetUSA, South Dakota

Old Pontiac station wagon sits in 95' of water in Pactola Reservoir. You will need a flashlight and visibility is usually less than 20 feet. Access can be by boat or shore. There is a white arrow pointing down and attached to a tree on the north bank just left of a large rock formation in the water know locally as Alcatraz. No local dive shop currently so will have to bring filled tanks with you.

IntermediateMax depth 49.9 ftShore or Boat entry
No photos yet
5

Upper Missouri River, Sioux Falls

No reviews yetSouth Dakota, USA Mid

Upper Missouri River, Sioux Falls is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in South Dakota, USA Mid which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Shore entry
No photos yet
6

Lake Oahe, Pierre

No reviews yetSouth Dakota, USA Mid

Lake Oahe, Pierre is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in South Dakota, USA Mid which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Shore entry
No photos yet
7

Oahe Dam Tail Race

No reviews yetUSA, South Dakota

Handsome fast current dive. Water is about 55 to 60 degrees in summer. Many fish. Talk with local dive shop they can hook you up. If travelling past Pierre, SD I would highly recommend this dive. Once in a lifetime. From Boat is recomended. Local dive shop is great.

BeginnerMax depth 29.9 ftBoat entry
Snorkeling & Scuba Map of South Dakota: numbered map of the top 4 dive and snorkel sites, with ratings
1247
Numbers match the ranked list of South Dakota dive and snorkel sites. Full map with key

Top dive shops in South Dakota

All 1
Dakota Scuba
5.0 (1) · Mitchell
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South Dakota diving guide

Ready to check out the best sites in South Dakota for scuba diving, snorkeling, shore diving, free diving or other ocean activities? Zentacle has 7 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 South Dakota?

Based on Zentacle reviews, the top-rated sites in South Dakota are Lake Francis Case (5.0 from 1 review), Ft. Randall Reservoir, Kearney (5.0 from 1 review) and Pactola Lake, Rapid City (4.5 from 2 reviews).

Where can I shore dive in South Dakota?

Lake Francis Case, Ft. Randall Reservoir, Kearney and Pactola Lake, Rapid City are the top-rated sites you can enter from shore.

Are there dive shops in South Dakota?

Zentacle lists 1 dive shop in South Dakota. The top-rated is Dakota Scuba (5.0 from 1 review).