If you're planning to take a trip to Alabama for its Civil War and reconstruction era history, you might be surprised to learn that there are actually quite a few places to dive in the "Heart of Dixie." A beautiful state with a fascinating history, Alabama offers a great climate and is home to very friendly people, plus it's got some great quarries that provided stone for some of the historic sites you'll see when you visit. Let's beat the heat and enjoy a quick trip through three of Alabama's best dive sites.
Dive Land Park - Alabama Dive Sites
Located in North Central Alabama near the town of Glencoe, Dive Land Park features a dive center with air fills and available instruction, and above the water, you'll see wildlife including mountain goats that skip around the rocks that surround the quarry itself. Underwater, the landscape has a lunar quality with massive boulders everywhere, and there are a few sunken attractions including a semi trailer and several old boats. Night diving and instruction are available by appointment. Maximum depth is 150 feet, and visibility is usually between 10 and 30 feet above the thermocline, and a stunning 70 feet or so below it. The water is cold, and a drysuit is recommended. While enjoying your bottom time, you'll find yourself face to face with bluegill and catfish, along with some carp and koi. There is a fee to dive or snorkel, and camping is available. On site amenities include a concession stand and dressing rooms, picnic areas, and more.
Madison Quarry - Alabama Dive Sites
Once closed to diving, Madison Quarry, which is best known for its sunken Minuteman Missile, is a fantastic place to visit. Located Southwest of Huntsville and maintained by a shop called Better Divers, this beautiful quarry is surrounded by soaring cliffs and has lots to see underwater, including an F-4 Phantom jet, a titan missile nose cone, houseboats and other boats, a pickup truck, a fire truck, and more. There are lines installed for controlled swimming ascents, plus there is a shallow confined water area for training. Maximum depth is 55 feet, but average depth is just 40 feet. Visibility is normally between 20 and 30 feet, and temperatures are normally in the 70's during the summer months. You'll find catfish and grass carp, brim, koi, and bass here, along with the occasional harmless freshwater jellyfish. Topside amenities are numerous, including a snack shop with hot food, changing rooms and restrooms, air fills, and more. Madison Quarry is open on weekends between May 1 through October 31st; if you have a group that wants to dive on a weekday, you can make an appointment to do so.
Pelham Keys - Alabama Dive Sites
Also known as Blue Water Adventures, Pelham Keys is a 26 acre former limestone quarry located in Pelham. An incredible inventory of sunken attractions awaits here; you'll find 1940's fire trucks, a 19 foot sail boat with its sails up, a school bus, and plenty of cars, trucks, and boats. In addition, there are platforms for training, and concrete pipes to swim through. Maximum depth is 125 feet, and visibility is usually around 25 feet during the summer, and 50-100 feet during the cooler months. While summertime surface temperatures can be toasty at 86 degrees or so, the lower reaches of the quarry are chilly, with bottom temperature averaging 52 degrees during the summer. As you explore, you'll enjoy the company of bass and catfish, sunfish, bluegill, koi and carp, rainbow trout, and even turtles. There are a number of topside amenities available including a picnic area, hot showers, snacks, drinks, and a dive shop. The hours here vary seasonally so check before you go to make sure the quarry is open; if you have a group and want to go on a day or night dive when the site is normally closed, you can probably make arrangements to do so.
There are plenty of great hotels, campgrounds, B&B type accommodations, and restaurants near these destinations, and there is lots to see and do topside. For a look back at the nation's history plus some great diving, look no further than Alabama.