When visiting Georgia, you might wonder whether there are any good inland dive sites, and the answer is a resounding Yes! One of the most popular places for diving in Georgia is Lake Lanier, which offers more than 692 miles of shoreline and splendid aqua-blue water. There are several things to see here - let's take a look.
Lake Lanier - Features and Attractions
Officially known as Lake Sidney Lanier, Lake Lanier is nestled in the foothills of Georgia's Blue Ridge Mountains. Constructed by the US Army Corps of Engineers when the Buford Dam on the Chattahoochee River was completed in 1956, this lake encompasses 59 square miles of water; it provides flood control for the city of Atlanta, plus it offers plenty of opportunities for fun and relaxation, and its hydroelectric dam provides green energy when in power production mode. Approximately 700 families were relocated when the lake was formed, and in some areas along the shoreline, old foundations and streets can be seen, along with an old stretch of highway 53. People ditch things in the lake all the time; usually along the lines of stolen property or items they feel they cannot dispose of elsewhere. Whenever a drought strikes, lake bottom cleanup efforts are organized, and boats, cars, snowmobiles and jetskis, and even stolen weapons used in crimes have been found and turned in to law enforcement. So, you never know what you might find as you explore! When the lake is full, maximum depth in the central area is 160 feet.
There are a few sites where diving is very popular. These include the following:
- West Bank Park, where plans are in the works for a dive park with training platforms and other attractions. There are plenty of restrooms, picnic tables and BBQ grills here, along with playgrounds for kids and swimming beaches with white sand. There are two separate coves to explore: Mask Cove andDivers Cove.
- Two Mile Creek, which features a boat ramp and swimming sites, plus restrooms, picnic tables, and BBQ grills.
- Cocktail Cove, which is notorious for found "treasures" like anchors, sunglasses, bikini tops lost by swimmers, flooded cellphones, and all kinds of other goodies.
Maximum depth at these sites is about 70 feet, and visibility is usually between 10 and 20 feet. You'll find stripers, bass, bluegill, and crappie as you explore, along with sunken trees and big rock formations.
Once you're finished diving for the day, you'll find plenty of other things to do. If you like, you can rent a houseboat, which is great for an entire week or weekend of diving, fishing, and more, or you can camp near the lake or stay at one of the resorts nearby. There are a number of marinas, including Holiday Marina and Aqualand Marina, which are two of the largest freshwater marinas in the world, plus there are plenty of hiking trails, wildlife viewing opportunities, and much more. A great place for divers and non-divers alike, Lake Lanier has much to offer.