Diving in Virginian
Quick Facts
- • Entry types: Mostly shore entries
- • Expect: Varies by conditions visibility
- • Highlights: Discover Virginian's dive spots
Explore the underwater wonders of Virginian, ecoregion. This region features 27 documented dive spots, each offering unique underwater experiences. Whether you're seeking calm snorkeling bays, challenging freediving depths, or exciting scuba adventures, Virginian has something for every underwater explorer. Browse detailed spot information, check current conditions from recent dive logs, and connect with the local diving community to make the most of your visit.
Regional Context
🏛️ Marine Hierarchy
🌍 Associated Countries
Countries in Virginian (1)
Popular Spots in Virginian (27)
Brass Spike
Brass Spike is the wreck of a wooden-hulled steam-assisted sailing vessel, discovered in 1994. The wreck features brass spikes embedded in its hull, which is how it got its name. A brass sextant was also found nearby, resting on the sand. The site is known for hosting large tautog, along with various fish species such as spadefish, black sea bass, and flounder. This dive site is accessible from the shore.
Central Penn Fitness Pool
Central Penn Fitness Pool is a privately owned facility located on Union Deposit Road in Harrisburg, PA. It features an indoor pool that is utilized for year-round confined water training for SCUBA. The site includes locker room amenities with lockers and showers, providing convenience for divers. Entry to the pool is from the shore, making it accessible for training purposes.
Chesapeake Light Tower
Chesapeake Light Tower, commonly referred to as 'The Tower', is situated approximately 12 miles east of Rudee Inlet in Virginia Beach. This artificial reef features a structure supported by four large legs that extend down to the seabed. Divers can expect to encounter a variety of marine life, including shellfish, soft corals, octopus, and tropical fish during the summer months. Flounder and schools of spadefish are also commonly observed in the area.
Classroom Rock
Classroom Rock is accessed from the shore near the fishing pier. Divers should descend to a depth of 10 feet (3 meters) and swim south for approximately 10-20 kicks. Along the way, divers may encounter 3-5 large boulders before reaching two logs, which are 50 feet (15 meters) long, marking the location of Classroom Rock. The site is home to a variety of fish species, including Bluegill and Redbreast Sunfish, with occasional sightings of Pumpkinseed, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, and Rock Bass. Less frequently, divers may spot Carp, Black Crappie, and crayfish.
Derry Township Community Center
The Derry Township Community Center is situated in Hershey, PA, along Cocoa Avenue. This facility features an indoor pool with depths ranging from 3 to 12 feet, making it suitable for various aquatic activities. Additionally, there is an outdoor pool available. The center is equipped with full locker facilities for convenience. It is recognized as a clean and well-maintained aquatic facility, providing ample safe parking for visitors.
Dublin Lake
Dublin Lake is a 240-acre lake measuring approximately 0.8 miles in length and 0.6 miles at its widest point. The lake reaches a maximum depth of 110 feet and is primarily spring-fed. It features limited aquatic vegetation and fish populations. Notably, there are legends of an unclassified creature residing in the caverns at the lake's deepest areas. The site is accessible from the shore, making it suitable for diving and diver training.
Dutch Springs
Dutch Springs is a 50-acre lake with a maximum depth of 30 meters. It offers clear visibility due to limestone bedrock and is home to various fish species including koi, bluegills, yellow perch, largemouth bass, palomino trout, and crayfish. Divers can explore several submerged vehicles and structures throughout the lake.
Fantasy Lake Adventure Park
Fantasy Lake Adventure Park is a 100-acre lake with depths that reach up to 80 feet, making it suitable for both beginner and intermediate diving training. The park is accessible year-round, providing opportunities for various specialties, including night diving. The aquatic ecosystem includes species such as bream, largemouth bass, turtles, striped bass, catfish, and Koi, offering divers a chance to observe diverse marine life in a controlled environment.
Gypsy Divers Aquatic Center
Gypsy Divers Aquatic Center is situated in Raleigh, NC, featuring an indoor pool maintained at a temperature of 88 degrees Fahrenheit. The pool has varying depths from 3 feet to 12 feet. This facility is primarily utilized for training purposes, and it is uncommon to encounter any aquatic life within the pool environment. For diving access, it is necessary to reach out to Gypsy Divers, the SSI shop located within the Aquatic Center.
JMR Rock Quarry - Yanceyville
JMR Rock Quarry, also known as Blanch Quarry, is accessible for diving with a membership in the PDRA or as a guest of a member. The site is open year-round, 24 hours a day, for those who possess a key. Divers must be accompanied by a buddy, as solo diving is prohibited. The quarry is home to various freshwater species, including large paddlefish, catfish, and bass. During late summer and early fall, divers may encounter freshwater jellyfish in the waters.
Keuka Lake
Keuka Lake, located in New York, is part of the Finger Lakes region. Divers can explore the lake's depths, where artifacts such as 18th-century glass bottles, old jewelry, and fossils can be discovered. The best visibility occurs during the spring and fall seasons, although the water temperature tends to be low, necessitating a thick wetsuit. Common aquatic life includes trout, carp, catfish, and bass, making it a site for both exploration and wildlife observation.
Lake Allure
Lake Allure is a privately owned dive site located in Quarryville, Pennsylvania, near Lancaster. Divers must register at Divepeer.com to access the site, which has restrictions on the number of divers and available days. The site is managed by the Lancaster Scuba Center. Lake Allure is home to various freshwater species, including bass, catfish, perch, bluegill, sunfish, crappie, and freshwater snails. The site also serves as a resource for Millersville University.
Lake Phoenix
Usually free dive at 16m, one spot @ 22m. Lots of wrecks and features to explore. Water very clear, but can be cold. Camping and RV spots.
lake winola
Lake Winola is a natural freshwater lake with a maximum depth of 67 feet. Access is primarily via a shore entry point, and there is a public boat launch equipped with a small seasonal dock. The site offers ample parking and requires the display of a dive flag while diving. A seasonal porta potty is available for convenience. The lake has limited public access and is managed by the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission.
Millardsville Quarry/Willow Springs
Millardsville Quarry, also known as Willow Springs, is situated in Richland, Pennsylvania, approximately 25 minutes west of Reading. This freshwater dive site features various wrecks, including a 72-foot boat, a crane, a bus, cars, a galley, and a cement mixer. The depths range from 10 to 30 feet, making it accessible for divers of different skill levels. The site has a well-maintained entry and exit dock, providing a convenient access point for shore diving. Scuba Venture organizes dives here on Thursday evenings and during weekends.
Millbrook Quarry
Millbrook Quarry, also referred to as Lake Millbrook, is a freshwater dive site located in Haymarket, Virginia. The site is accessible from the shore and features a maximum depth ranging from 91 to 100 feet (28 to 30 meters). Divers can expect average visibility between 11 to 15 feet (3 to 5 meters). There are training platforms available off both beaches for diver education. However, as of March 2020, the site is closed, with ongoing discussions between the property owner and potential new leaseholders.
Mystery Lake Scuba Park
Mystery Lake Scuba Park originated as a granite quarry and later served as a water supply for the town of Wendell after it filled with water. The current owners are developing the site into a diving location. For the 2021 season, access to the park is limited to instructors with students and annual pass holders. The site allows for shore entry, making it accessible for divers looking to explore its underwater features.
Northwest Barges
Northwest Barges, also known as NorthWest, is a boat-accessible dive site located offshore from Beachhaven/Barnegat, New Jersey. The site features seven to nine old, unidentified wooden barges, which are characterized by extensive wood decking and low-lying walls. The maximum depth at this site ranges from 61 to 70 feet (19 to 21 meters), with average visibility reported between 26 to 30 feet (8 to 9 meters). The sandy bottom surrounding the wrecks adds to the unique underwater landscape.
Pinta Shipwreck
The Pinta Shipwreck is located at a depth starting from 55 feet and extends down to the sandy bottom at 90 feet. The wreck lies on its port side, a result of a collision that occurred in May 1963. The bow of the ship remains intact, although it shows signs of deterioration due to marine conditions. The upper surfaces of the wreck are covered with mussels, while anemones and various fish inhabit the area. Lobsters can be found hiding in the crevices of the wreck.
Ponquogue Bridge
Ponquogue Bridge features the remnants of the old bridge structure, which has been preserved to create an artificial reef environment. Divers can explore the bridge pilings, which serve as habitats for various marine species. Common sightings include angelfish, triggerfish, snapper, and legal-sized lobsters. The site is accessible from the shore, making it convenient for divers and fishermen alike.
Pontoosuc Lake
Pontoosuc Lake is accessible from the Public Boat Launch located at 10 Hancock Road in Pittsfield, MA. The lake is popular for recreational boating, particularly in the summer months, which can complicate diving safety during busy periods. It is advisable to plan dives for early morning or late afternoon and to avoid weekends when possible. Divers can expect to see a variety of fish species, including Bluegill and Redbreast Sunfish, which are commonly observed. Other species that may be encountered include Pumpkinseed, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, and Rock Bass. Less frequently seen are Carp, Black Crappie, crayfish, and Tiger Muskie.
Quantico Pool
Quantico Pool, also known as the FBI HRT Training Pool, is situated within the FBI Quantico Training Facility. This site is designated for the training and certification of FBI Dive Lockers and staff. Access to this facility is restricted, and outside users are not permitted to utilize the pool for diving activities. The entry to the site is from the shore, and it is primarily used for training purposes.
Skaneateles Lake
Skaneateles Lake is a narrow freshwater lake located in New York. Divers can explore various fish species, including lake trout, rainbow trout, Atlantic salmon, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, walleye, chain pickerel, cisco, and bluegill. The underwater environment features notable rock walls and the wreck of the Ossahinta, providing a unique diving experience. The entry to the dive site is from the shore, making it accessible for divers.
Stockbridge Bowl
Stockbridge Bowl is a freshwater lake accessible from the shore, specifically at the Boat Launch located at 55 Interlaken Road in Stockbridge, MA, or from the Stockbridge Town Beach, which requires a town resident sticker for parking during the summer months. The lake experiences significant boat traffic in the summer, so divers are advised to plan their dives for early morning or late afternoon and to avoid weekends when possible. Commonly observed species include Bluegill and Redbreast Sunfish, while Pumpkinseed, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, and Rock Bass are often seen. Less frequently, divers may encounter Carp, Black Crappie, and crayfish.
USS San Diego Wreck
The USS San Diego wreck, an armored cruiser that sank in July 1918, is located off the coast of Long Island, New York. The vessel, which weighed 15,000 tons, was lost due to an explosion caused by a mine laid by U-156, resulting in the deaths of six sailors from a crew of 1,200. The wreck is situated upside down on a sandy seabed, with a maximum depth reaching 108 feet. After nearly a century submerged, the keel of the ship is showing signs of collapse.
West Shore YMCA
West Shore YMCA is situated in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, and features four indoor swimming pools, including a well that reaches a depth of 12 feet. The facility is equipped with full locker room amenities, including lockers and showers, making it suitable for various training activities. It is particularly well-suited for confined water training and pool specialties, providing a clean environment with attentive staff.
Yokum Pond Public Boat Launch
Yokum Pond is a notable freshwater site located in Berkshire County. The pond is characterized by a limited presence of non-native invasive aquatic plant species, making it essential for divers to ensure that all watercraft, snorkeling, and scuba gear are thoroughly decontaminated before use to prevent cross-contamination. The aquatic life in the pond includes species such as Largemouth bass, Chain pickerel, Yellow perch, Pumpkinseed, Brown bullhead, Golden shiner, as well as Freshwater jellyfish and Freshwater newts. The entry to the site is from the shore, providing easy access for divers and snorkelers alike.