Solo dive? No SILO Dive

Please register or login

Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.

Benefits of registering include

  • Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
  • A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
  • You can make this box go away

Joining is quick and easy. Log in or Register now!

Sushi Boy

Contributor
Scuba Instructor
Divemaster
Messages
631
Reaction score
152
Location
Houston, TX
# of dives
1000 - 2499
Valhalla. It’s one of the most unusual dive sites you’ll ever come across.

What is it, you say? It’s a decommissioned ICBM missile silo near Abilene, TX that you can dive in. It was also where CHUM made its first dive trip, and a subsequent visit there brought us our mascot, Wet.

Once the missile was pulled out and the site decommissioned, groundwater gradually filled the silo. The water’s about 130 feet deep, but debris from the structure resting on the bottom makes the deepest dives slightly shallower than that. The temp is 58-60 degrees year round. If you haven’t been there, it really is a unique diving experience. It’s also worth mentioning that this isn’t a place where you can just show up and go diving. The only way to dive Valhalla is to go with an organized group. Mark, the owner has said there have been several improvements to the facility since our last visit including a better ladder, new floors, large lighted dressing areas, a toilet, and a hot water shower to warm up after the dives.

One other thing worth mentioning, there are LOTS of stairs to be climbed with your gear. Be ready for a little exercise.

We’re returning there the weekend of March 7th-9th. Some of us will be driving up from Houston on Friday. Feel free to adjust your travel plans as necessary. We’ll dive Saturday, and then return home Sunday.

Since this is a road trip, we’re basically going to split the costs of the facility rental, so the more people we get, the cheaper it will be.

Divers need to bring all of their own gear, including weights and dive lights.

Rental tanks are available, but please note – if you do decide to rent tanks from the operator, they must be arranged IN ADVANCE are NON-REFUNDABLE. They’ll be hauling the tanks from Midland, so any you don’t use, you still need to pay for.

If you’re bringing your own tanks, please bring enough to cover all of your dives. Don’t count on air fills in Abilene.

Valhalla tshirts are a popular item and the only way you can get them is by diving there. You can only buy one and you have to buy it on your first visit. Let us know if you’re interested in getting a tshirt.

Let us know if you'd like to come along for this unique diving opportunity & we can get you more information.
 
Last edited:
This is our next dive event. Still spaces available if anyone would like to join us.
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/teric/

Back
Top Bottom