In a state famous for the vast clear sky, you can even find can’t-miss views below the water just as grand as those above when snorkeling or scuba diving.

With 350 miles of shoreline, more than 7,000 lakes, and 15 major rivers crisscrossing the state, Texas is rife with exceptional marine and freshwater scuba diving sites, accommodating wet-suited explorers of all skill levels.

Balmorhea State Park

Balmorhea State Park is the perfect Texan place to start for a fun, hassle-free dive. Nestled neatly among the high desert mountains of West Texas lies the largest spring-fed pool in the world. This state park’s star attraction swimming hole is 1.3 acres large with depths up to 30 feet. Crystal-clear waters make for great visibility while diving, and the temperate temperature allows the site to be enjoyable year-round. While you’re beneath the surface, spy a plethora of large catfish, Mexican Tetra, sunfish, endangered pupfishes, and turtles. When you come up for air, you can lounge around the water under the shade of towering live oaks in this desert oasis.

Comal River Drift Dive

For the most relaxing dive possible, let the 2.5-mile Comal River in New Braunfels take you for a tour of the Texas Hill Country. This spring-fed river offers scenic beauty and interesting finds. Drift along lazily and check out the plentiful fish and freshwater snails to be found. Keep an eye out for the rare Fountain Darter, a rare gorgeous small striped and spotted fish.

Both the Comal and San Marcos rivers are popular tubing destinations, making for a more relaxed dip. Numerous rental companies offer tube rentals near each river for floating with family and friends.  

San Marcos Springs and Spring Lake

The cool, crystal-clear San Marcos Springs and nearby Spring Lake are critical habitats for many unique, endangered species of beetles, salamanders, fish, and even “Texan Wild Rice.” To dive at these gorgeous, protected sites and get up close with the wildlife, divers can take a fascinating glass-bottom boat tour of the springs. Once you’re in the water, you can sense the history of the space — inhabited by humans for more than 12,000 years — a whole world tucked away beneath the surface.  

Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary

The most advanced and rewarding dive the Texas coast has to offer is The Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. This sanctuary features a collection of natural reefs, home to hundreds of species of fish, many different species of coral, not to mention a plethora of sharks, sea turtles, rays, and marine mammals. Flower Garden Banks is one of 15 total marine sanctuaries in the U.S., and the only one in the Gulf of Mexico. Book a chartered dive trip for the scuba experience of a lifetime. Texas Caribbean and Texas Blue Water Safaris are happy to oblige.

The Texas Clipper Artificial Reef

In 1945, the USS Queens, a 470-foot attack transport ship, was busy moving U.S. soldiers to the front in the Pacific Theater during World War II. But since her intentional sinking just off the coast of South Padre Island in 2007, the renamed USTS Texas Clipper has served a very different supporting role — that of an artificial reef, supplying an expansive haven for the growth of coral and all kinds of aquatic. For scuba fanatics, this oasis is a can’t-miss diving experience. The site lies 17 miles off the shore, so you’ll need a boat and a guide to get to the spot. American Diving and Ascuba Venture both offer tours.

Athens Scuba Park

Only 75 miles southeast of Dallas you’ll find a veritable scuba diving wonderland. The Athens Scuba Park, an all-inclusive dive facility, features a dive shop, a classroom, a training pool, and a seven-acre open-water lake with over 20 different sunken attractions to explore, many of which are now covered in underwater plants and corals and home to small fish and crustaceans. The park also offers camping if you’d like to stay the night under the surrounding pines, with both tent and RV sites available.

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