Texas is one of the top tourist spots of the USA that shares its borders with Mexico and Oklahoma in the west and north, respectively. It is ranked as the second biggest state of the USA and is known for its extensive waterways.
It is a water sports wonderland and witnesses numerous globe trotters throughout the year. Besides the breathtaking views and sightseeing places, another reason to drop down in the vicinities of Texas is the magnificent underwater treasure that this place hides beneath.
Opting for scuba diving Texas gulf coast can be quite electrifying and may give you all the reasons to have an outdoor adventure amidst the waters. Want to know more about scuba diving in Texas? Read further to check out all the awesome places to explore and to be fledged with a quick guide when you land down in Texas for scuba diving.
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Best places to scuba dive in Texas Gulf coast
Ranging from navigating the sizeable lakes and majestic rivers, you can have a perfect holiday fun in Texas. There are numerous spots in Texas that can spellbind the scuba diving lovers. So here are the top destinations where you can opt for best scuba diving in the USA:
Flower Garden Banks
The flower garden bank lies between the 56 square mile sanctuary and Galveston. It houses some of the hardest corals with a size approximately equal to a car and has a wide range of marine animals painting different colors underwater. This place is a home for some of the most exquisite marine species, such as the hammerhead sharks, manta rays, whale sharks, and a lot more. This bank was discovered long back in 1800 and is known as a scuba diving paradise for all kinds of divers. One can reconnoiter the glory of the place by catching sight of the colorful underwater marine animals and the breathtaking views. Apart from scuba diving Texas gulf coast, you can also enjoy fishing at flower gardens.
San Solomon springs
This scuba diving site is situated in the Balmorhea State Park and is located in the middle of a desert, giving it all the vibes of a holiday destination. Not only the scuba divers, everyone can consider landing down at this place due to the beauty it disseminates under the clear blue sky. Apart from a scuba diving day, non-divers can also consider taking a splash in the waters at the shores while the divers go deep down to explore the natural and colorful sea life of the region. San Solomon is a clear blue colored oasis that is spring fed and thus offers the right water temperature for you to have an enjoyable scuba diving session.
Blue Lagoon
A swimming hole with sandy beaches and pure turquoise-colored waters underlying the tall Huntsville trees is what you can imagine about Blue Lagoon. Spending an afternoon scuba diving in the waters of Blue Lagoon can give you all the reasons to explore the waters from deep within. Sunken ships, marine life, there is a lot more to explore. Also, you can enjoy other water sports activities of this fantastic scuba diving site.
Windy Point park
It is another scuba diving spot of Texas and is known to be one of the most happening places that welcomes a lot of scuba divers all year round. One can have an all-new and unique diving experience by hitting this place that is located in the vicinities of the Travis lake. Sea turtles, sharks, manatee, boat wrecks, metal sculptures, and underwater canyons are the major attractions of the waters of Windy point park. Thus, do not forget to add this spot in your itinerary while you plan for a scuba diving Texas gulf coast trip.
Texas clipper
Texas clipper is considered as one of the most extensive artificial reefs of the nation and ranks third in number. It allows all the divers to probe into the turquoise waters of Texas to witness an all big world of marine animals that chants the beauty of the place. Despite being an artificial reef, it looks more like a natural shipwreck. This shipwreck dates back to World War II and known to be a troop transport that served the US queen. But now, it lies as a shipwreck deep down the Texas waters. This scuba diving site is extraordinarily large and can give you a splendid experience while you swim your way in the underwater museum. So, if you wish to witness the elegance of the underwaters, you can visit this place between 9 am to 5 pm and scuba dive all day long to give wings to the scuba diver inside you.
Athens scuba park
Another scuba diver escapade, Athens scuba park, is one of the topmost diving spots for all scuba divers and snorkelers. This ancient park is home to eleven diving rocks and thirty-five ancient sunken shipwrecks that sings the history of this dynamic place allowing the divers to enjoy an adventurous scuba diving trip underwaters. A scuba diving trip to the Athens park can be highly exciting and can fill you with all the thunder thrills to make your trip a memorable one. But apart from tasting the thunder, make sure that you follow all the safety parameters and wear the best snorkeling set while you dive deep in the sea.
Scuba Ranch
Earlier Scuba ranch was known by the name Clear Springs Scuba park that extends to about 22 acres and is a spring-fed lake that chants its beauty. One can drop at this place to enjoy a scuba diving day confronting the rich marine habitat under the clear waters. Not only does this exciting scuba diving destination allow the visitors to dive deep within, but it also fledges them with an opportunity to undertake other water sports activities such as kayaking, swimming, paddleboat, and a lot more. Further, if you want to do something else than enjoying the waters, you can consider night camping under the dark black sky with a bonfire party to warm up your mood.
Best time to visit Texas for scuba diving
Texas witnesses’ tourists in its heart all-round the year and list its name in the best scuba diving in the USA. The winter season commences in February and runs through the entire April. The summer season extends between the period May to September, you can plan accordingly on which part of the year you will visit the scuba diving destination. Hitting the place between July and September will let you experience the calmest sea pattern while scuba diving. September, October, and November are considered the best months for a scuba diving Texas gulf coast weekend. Visiting between June and August can let you have an awe-inspiring beach time but be ready for a hike in rates as this is the peak time when this nation witnesses’ tourists from all over the world.
Diving conditions in Texas
For spring-fed waters and lakes, namely Guadalupe river, Comal river, Balmorhea, the temperature is usually 72°F and the temperature shows variations depending on the season. It is said that Texas experiences a temperature variation between 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit between June and October. In contrast, the temperature can drop down to 40-50 degrees during the winter months. The months between June to November usually experience warm water temperature.
If you are planning to deep sea scuba diving in Texas, you need to be aware of the seasonal thermoclines that prevail in this place. Thermoclines are that part under the water that experiences dramatic temperature changes. In such conditions, you will witness a warm temperature on the surface waters, whereas the deep waters can be extremely cold. Thus, on entering a thermocline area, you will feel that the water suddenly tends to become cold compared to the current water temperature where you were diving.
If you are prone to feel seasick, do not forget to carry your medications along with you before you dive into Texas. Consider practicing yoga and swimming before a couple of months you drop down for scuba diving Texas gulf coast so that you learn to gain control over your body when you go deep inside the blue. Yoga and swimming can help you gain confidence for the same and can save you from panicking underwater.
Hurricane Season
The hurricane season in Texas commences in June and lasts up to November. Though the initial months does not witness high tides and hurricane, the period between August and September can be a bit risky. So, if you want to save yourselves from visiting this awesome water wonderland during the hurricane season, avoid paying a visit during August and September.
Visibility factor
You cannot pen down a certain visibility count for Texas as water visibility varies from time to time. You can expect to witness clear waters and a higher level of water visibility during the spring season. A standard or good visibility count for scuba diving ranges between 10 feet to 40 feet. The rivers and lakes that are spring-fed tend to be more transparent, offering greater water visibility levels all around the year.
Age criteria and certification for scuba diving in Texas
Texas stands as one of the topmost destinations for scuba diving. It houses various significant shipwrecks, vast sea life, marine sanctuaries, superb diving sites, and other amusements that make it an awesome diving destination. But to enjoy this awesome sport, an individual should pass the age limit for scuba diving, which is at least ten years, to seek permission for scuba diving in Texas. Talking in terms of certification restrictions, scuba diving certification is not mandatory for diving in Texas, but it is a plus factor if you have one in your kitty.
Conclusion
Texas is one of the best places where all the water explorers can land down to spend a lazy and recreational holiday time diving in the crystal-clear turquoise waters of the nation.
Scuba diving Texas gulf coast is worth all your money and can give you an exhilarating experience to add on a memorable trip to your travel dictionary. After all, what could be better than a scuba dive trip to keep yourself cooled off?
So, what are you waiting for? Texas Gulf coast waits for you with extended hands to welcome you in its waters. Get set and get going to experience a crazy adventure in the waters exploring the exotic marine life, sun-kissed beaches, and a deep scuba dive to complete the weekend trip.
