More about local diving...
Sure, we're landlocked here in beautiful Austin Texas. Fortunately, that
doesn't mean that we don't have access to some great local diving.
Lake Travis
Good old Lake Travis provides some of the best
freshwater diving in Texas. Lake Travis is the premier SCUBA training
location in Texas, and on any given weekend you'll find people learning
to dive from all over the state. Travis has pretty good visibility for a
freshwater lake, is deep enough for all kinds of diving, and is nice and
warm for much of the year. While the water is pretty chilly from
November through April (and requires a good, thick wetsuit during those
months), in the summer through the fall the water reaches the upper 80's
and is quite comfortable without a wetsuit.
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Channel Catfish
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Longear Sunfish, known locally as
Pumpkinseed Perch or Sun Perch |
Comal River and San Marcos River
Drift dive, anyone? While
not the deepest dive you'll ever do, both of these rivers make for a
great dive outing. Their near constant temperature (around 70 degrees)
means you can dive here any time of the year. Visibility is very good as
rivers go, plus you can find all sorts of treasure dropped by tubers.
Canyon Lake
Diving in Canyon Lake is similar to Lake Travis, but
overall the water is a bit colder.
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Aquarena Center
Remember Ralph the swimming pig? If so, you
will love diving in Aquarena Center. Even if you don't, the crystal
clear water, constant temperature and beautiful fish and plant life will
make diving in Aquarena special. Diving here requires special training,
and means volunteering to work in the park.
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Rio Grande Cichlid, known locally as
Pedernales Perch. Yes, here in Central Texas, most small fish are called
Perch.
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Moon Jellyfish from The Flower Gardens
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The Flower Gardens.
Texas has a world class diving location
located right offshore. Ok, well, 110 miles offshore that is.
Nevertheless, the Flower Gardens National Marine Sanctuary is truly a
treasure, and we are lucky to have it so close by. For more details,
check here: The Flower Gardens
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Offshore Oil Platforms
The best offshore platforms are found
off the coast of Port Aransas (near Corpus Christi). There are also
platforms to be found off the coast of Freeport and Galveston. These
platforms provide cover for a tremendous amount of fish and other forms
of sea life.
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A Blenny hiding out on a platform
offshore from Port Aransas
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Other dive sites to check out:
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Photos Copyright (c) 2003 Chris Parsons
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