Deep Dixie Divers: Favorite Local Dive Spots Directory
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About the DiveSite: This is a quarry about 7-8 acres and averaging up to 55 feet in depth depending on water level. This quarry used to be operated as Rock Divers, but after they went out of business the city traded the property to the local Water Board. The Local Water Board now has a contract with Better Diver to operate the qurry.
Note: for 2010, the quarry will be closing on August 31st.
What to expect at the dive site: The quarry has several items sunk in it including a F-4 Phantom fighter, a Minuteman Missile, several suprlus items from NASA including an observatory housing, a space shuttle ride and a prototype for the SPACE LAB. Also sunk are several small boats, a S-10 pickup, several large houseboats/cabin cruisers, a firetruck, rock crusher and many smaller items. The quarry has several training platforms for use for training.
Where to park: parking is along the rim of the quarry.
Amenities/Facilities: Currently there is not an onsite dive shop, but Better Diver has some items in their trailer they keep there. They do have toliet facilities and a changing room. They also have a snack bar concession that is open most weekends.
Rental Gear: Better Diver has some rental gear, wetsuits, and rental tanks available. It's highly suggested that you coordinate beforehand for these items.
Cost/Fees associated with site: Admission is $20 bucks. I suggest cash as they don't have a credit card machine onsite due to there is no telephone service to hook up a machine to.
Times Open: for 2010, April through August 31. 2011 dates will be announced next year.
Pros and Cons: Pro's good training site. Con's it that it's not that deep for deep training
Expected Vis: 5 foot to 30 foot depending on conditions
Depths: depending on water level, 38' to about 50' with a mostly flat bottom
Water temps: In May bottom temps in the low 60's. in July in 70's and in August in 70's to 80's depending on water level. When water is up towards 50', it will rarely get above 70-75f on the bottom
Closest Air Fills or Dive Shops:
Air fills and nitrox fills are available onsite through Better Diver. o2 clean tank might be required for Nitrox fill.
Dolphin Aquatics - www.dolphinaquatics.com (call before going as they are closed most of the day).
Good Places to eat near site: Lots of restaurants on hwy 20 right before you come into quarry.
Also there is a snack bar onsite now that has burgers, sandwiches, snacks, drinks, etc. (cash suggested).
Other Comments: Bring a sun tent as the sun reflecting off the walls can be HOT.
Add any other field about this site: You can print the liability registration form off their website. Also there is a map of what's sunk in the quarry in the quarry's website also.
Last edited by Cave Diver; August 16th, 2010 at 02:16 PM.
About the DiveSite: 26 acre quarry with depths up to 150'. They are in the process of trying to build a new shop on the site in 2007/2008
What to expect at the dive site: The quarry has several items sunk in it including a school bus, sailboat with mast, steel boxes, concrete tubes, cards boats, fire engine, etc. The quarry has several training platforms for use for training.
Where to park: parking is along the rim of the quarry.
Amenities/Facilities: bathrooms, showers, gear tables full service dive shop and air fills.
Cost/Fees associated with site: $20 bucks admission
Times Open:
Summer
Wed-Thur: 10am-tpm
Friday: 10am-6pm
Sat & Sun: 9am-6pm
Night Dive 1st Saturday of each Month
Winter: Saturdays 9am to sunset:
Pros and Cons: Pro's: good training site: Con's: can be crowded.
I'm just starting out, but hopefully someone will fill in the blanks...
Alabama Point - Flounder, Rays, Sheepshead, Spadefish, etc.
-Bridge. East or West end. Dive at high tide because of current.
-Sea Wall. West side of the Perdido Pass. Dive at high tide because of current.
-Jetties. Both sides of Perdido Pass. Dive at high tide because of current.
Whiskey Wreck (Gulf Shores)
Located 140-150 yards from the beach due south of the east end of the small beach house (near Bahama Bob's) west of the public parking area in 15 to 25 feet of water. The wreck is just beyond the sand bar.
Pensacola Beach Reef is right off of "Casino Beach" at the Pensacola Beach Ball water tower. The reef comes and goes with the beach renourishment projects.
I'm just starting out, but hopefully someone will fill in the blanks...
Alabama Point - Flounder, Rays, Sheepshead, Spadefish, etc.
-Bridge. East or West end. Dive at high tide because of current.
-Sea Wall. West side of the Perdido Pass. Dive at high tide because of current.
-Jetties. Both sides of Perdido Pass. Dive at high tide because of current.
Dive Spot: Lake Keowee SC "Hot Hole" State Location: Six Mile, SC USA
Type of diving: Lake with fast Current must access by boat.
Picture: Pending Directions: 1) I-85 in South Carolina take Exit 19 B take that exit and get on Hwy 76 west towards Clemson SC 2) Stay on Hwy 76 all the way into center of Clemson City. When you get to the intersection of Hwy 76 and Hwy 123 take a left onto Hwy 123. (Ace Hardware, CVS, and a Ramada Inn are at that intersection). 3) At next traffic light turn right onto Hwy 133 North towards Six Mile SC. (Walgreens, and Sonic at the intersection) 4) Go approx 12 miles North on Hwy 133 until you come to a 4 way stop sign. At that intersection their is a Citgo Gas station named Durham's store turn left on Hwy 183 South towards Salem SC. 5) Go approx 4 miles and look for War Path Road on right (A wooden Duke Energy Park / Landing sign is there with yellow letters). Go all the way to the end to the landing. 6) Once on the water look out to the open water and go towards the Nuclear Plant. You will see a concrete box on the lake edge in a cove. You are there, and will see the current and steam off the water.
Important!
Due not anchor to the shore you must anchor in the water and not allow the boat to come to rest on the shore. If you due the very well armed Security Force will visit you. And stay off the shore when walking out of the water.
About the DiveSite: You can dive inside the concrete structure to see fish life, and enter the current on top of the tunnels. Or you can follow the outside of the concrete walls (recommend the left side for warmer water) to the bottom which is usually 40 feet with normal water levels. At the bottom of the concrete walls you can move across the lake bottom at the edge of the concrete using the steel rebar supports to fight the current. there you can search for expensive fishing lures, rods, anchors, tools, lost scuba equipment, and metal from plant construction in the late 70's. the following is from www.offthewalldiving.comThis site is in 40 feet of water and is supplied with warm water by the Oconee Nuclear Station. The warm water is the return flow from the cooling system of the power plant. The dive site is approximately 20 acres of cove that has a constant current that eddies around to allow for a very unique drift dive. These waters offer the very best conditions for fish to spawn in the spring and stay warm all winter. Local fishing clubs will not permit their members to fish in this area because it is considered unsportsmanlike. There being too many fish in the concentrated area. Fish life varies from schools of thousands of Shad to Brim and Large Mouth Bass. The bottom is swept of silt and is covered with rocks and sand. There are underwater rip-rap slopes that line the channel and offer relief above the bottom. The center of the current can offer a challenge to a diver but the edges of the cove will amaze you with the life and a gentle current. This area is perfect for people who like their diving warm and full of aquatic life.
What to expect at the dive site: Lots of fish life, warm water all year round in the current the hottest the water has ever been is 84 degrees and the coldest on the slowest current days is 74 degrees. Where to park: parking is free and avaiable at the War Path Landing
Amenities/Facilities No Bathrooms at the landing, only trash Cans. Bathrooms are available for free three coves north at Mile Creek Park Landing.
Cost/Fee's associated with site: Free
Times Open: 24 / 7 365 days a year
Pros and Cons:
Pros
Fun Fast current rides
Treasure Hunting
Warm Water year round
1.0.2 mi 2.0.3 mi 3.361 ft 4. Continue to follow I-85 N
Entering South Carolina
100.0 mi 5.Take exit 2 for SC-59 toward Fair Play/Seneca0.2 mi 6.Turn left at W Fairplay Blvd/Lakeshore Dr/SC-59 Continue to follow W Fairplay Blvd/SC-59
1.0 mi 7.Turn left at SC-596.2 mi 8.Slight left at Tokeena Rd4.8 mi 9.Continue on S Oak St2.0 mi 10.Turn right at W N 1st St1.4 mi 11.Slight left at Old Salem Rd1.0 mi 12.Turn left at Keowee Marina Dr482 ft
Lake Keowee Marina
150 Keowee Marina Dr, Seneca, SC 29672
About the DiveSite: the following is from Off The Wall Charters site: The Pump House is a three story brick building that served as the town of Seneca's drinking water treatment plant prior to the creation of the lake. The building sits on the side of a slope in 80 feet of water and rises to a depth of 50 ft. where the chimneys are located. The floors and ceilings are made of concrete so the building is very stable. The window openings are large so penetrating the structure with wreck line reels is easy for those experienced and properly equipped.. There are several open rectangular concrete tanks with ladders going down into them off to one side. Reminiscent of swimming pools. The roof was framed construction and has collapsed down onto the top floor of concrete. The chimneys and walls of this top floor rise up and usually have several large fish cruising around.
Where to park: Lake Keowee Marina
Amenities/Facilities Lake Keowee Marina is a full service Marina from canoe's to House Boats
Cost/Fee's associated with site: Diving itself is free but you may pay to launch a boat from Keowee Marina or parking
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Originally Posted by Hetland
