Name of the site: Gilboa Quarry, Gilboa, OH
Description of the site: Gilboa Quarry is a 25 acre full service dive resort with a 14 acre limestone quarry perfect for both newly certified and technically trained divers. The underwater attractions are many: A Grumman twin engine turbo prop airplane, the largest, most complete plane in any quarry in the country; a 73' Sikorsky Helicopter; school bus; two pickup trucks; VW van; 30' sailboat; two 25' cabin cruisers; fishing trawler; swamp boat; the tubes (stacked storage tanks with the ends cut out for swim thru's); and 3000 sq. ft. of suspended instructors platforms. More attractions are planned for the near future.
Entrance and exits from the quarry are easy with stairways and docks that lead to 4 floating staging platforms with stairs leading into the water.
Gilboa Quarry also has 26 primitive campsites nestled among large trees with picnic tables and fire pits. There are also 10 RV sites with electric hookup. If you desire a roof over your head, you can choose from among 2 bunkhouses that sleep 5 and 6 respectively (AC will be put in soon), 1 apartment sleeps 5 and 1 cottage sleeps 6, both with AC. Heated Flush bathrooms and newly remodeled showers are available on site.
Depth Range: The South side of the quarry (the shallow end) is 5' to 65'; The North side (the deep side) is 117' to 140'. To dive the North side you must have the following: AOW certification; at least 30 cold water dives; redundant gas supply; and you must file a detailed dive plan with the owner.
Water Temps: Depending on the season and depth: 39 to 78 degrees.
Visibility: 30' to 100+ depending on weather and time of year; Average is about 40 to 60 ft.
Aquatic Life: Amazing! 15 species of fish: Bluegill, Crappie, Large and Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Steelhead Trout, Perch, Channel Cats, Brown Cats, Shovelhead Cats, Koi, White Amurs, and 17 Paddlefish up to 7' long.
Fees: $15 entrance - $6 non-diver; $8 pp camping; $8 air fill - $12 nitrox to 40% - $15 over 40%; $10 per day electric hookup; $10 per day pet fee (please, non-barking and non-biting dogs); $4 pp per day to park car at campsite, or free parking in the main parking lot.
On-Site Amenities: Full line of rental gear (Call ahead to reserve on weekends); repair items: o-rings, fin straps, AquaSeal, etc. Snacks, soft drinks, grilled food available; fish food; and a 35 min. souvenir DVD "Relive the Memory" that chronicles the Gilboa experience to take home and relive.
Website and Phone Number: Gilboa Quarry Scuba Diving phone 419-456-3300
Open Hours: April 1 to Nov. 3: Mon.-Thurs. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Fri. 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sat.- 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sun.- 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Winter Hours: Dec. 1 to March 31 - Mon.- Fri. closed; Sat.-Sun. open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Restrictions: No fishing, no touching fish; no defacing UW attractions; no swimming, but snorkeling with wet suit (required) is allowed; No boats allowed; Do not bring in firewood (It's the law); for safety to all, 5 mph speed limit - strictly enforced.
Boat or Shore Access: Shore access only via staging docks.
How to get there: Address: 3763 Old St. Rt. 224 Ottawa, Oh 45875. From I75 take exit 159 Rt. 224; Coming from the N, turn right. Coming from the S, turn left. Look for the sign.
From Findlay:
* Take St. Rt. 224 (the middle exit, Exit 159) west about 15 miles.
* Turn left (south) on County Road 4 (Pearl St) just after the grain elevator, but before you pass the large cement steer pictured above.
* Turn right (west) at the 4-way Stop sign 2 blocks south, just before you go over the bridge, and head through "downtown" Gilboa.
* As you head west out of Gilboa, the quarry entrance is on the left (south side) of the road down in a slight dip in the road about 1/4 mile past the Methodist church (located on the west edge of town).
From the west:
* Take St. Rt. 224 east just for a few miles past Ottawa.
* Turn right (south) on County Road 5 and go about 1 mile to Old St. Rt. 224.
* Turn left (east) for a few miles and look for the quarry entrance on the right (south). If you enter into the small town of Gilboa, you've gone about 1/4 mile too far.
GPS Coordinates:
0. N 41deg 00.865min
W 083deg 56.055min
Rating: 5-excellent--The Midwest's Premier Dive site. It doesn't get any better than this!