Local Dive Sites
Nope, that ain't around here!
The Savannah River
Diving conditions: about 66 deg F, 8 ft visibility
Profile: 15-20 ffw max, temperature 72 deg F (or less), bottom time limited only by air consumption. Current and visibility vary. Divable year around depending on your cold tolerance.
Entry: Most people park at the boathouse marina and jump in off the pier. The shoreline going down to the pier is steep, so you can also just walk down the boat ramp. Best to swim upstream for a while, and then drift back to the marina. Alternatively, Bill and Susan D. and Mike P. like to take two cars, suit up at the boathouse marina and leave one car (with towels, etc.) there. Then in the other car they drive up to the new marina near Saint Paul's and enter there using the boat ramp. This "Great Savannah River Drift Dive" down to the boathouse marina takes about an hour depending on current and how much you zig-zag. Lots of stuff to see, including wrecks and old gym equipment.
What to do: The Georgia side is generally more interesting. Lots of junk, old boats, beer and soft drink cans and an opportunity to clean up the river. The Augusta Dive Club has a scavenger hunt now and then. Steve has a knack for finding valuable things, some quite old, that have been thrown in the river. Typical river fish life, turtles, occasional snakes along the shore. When current is strong, you can do aerobic exercise by swimming in large circles (upstream, downstream).
Warnings: Dive flag essential. Fishermen abound, and Mike and Bill have been "caught." Also, boats and jet skiers don't always know about dive flags, so be real careful when surfacing. Don't get swept down river - it's a long, hard swim back to the marina!
Neptune's Pool
Profile: Maybe 7 ffw max, temperature 80 deg F, unlimited bottom time. No current, great vis. Divable year around.
Entry: Can step in from the shallow end or take a giant stride in the deep end.
What to do: Perfect for dive training, checking out equipment, a refresher course, swim parties.
Warnings: Dive flag not needed. Alligators uncommonly sighted.
Clark's Hill Lake
(Some people call this Lake Thurmond)
Diving conditions: about 68 deg F at the airplane; around 6 ft. visibility at the airplane, a little more at greater depths
Profile: The airplane is in about 25-30 ft of water. I don't know how deep the lake is. Usually, I'm too cold to go more than 40 ft. This is a perfect site for nitrox.
Entry: Various entry points are available. The "usual" is to park your car at the Lake Thurmond Visitor's Center on the South Carolina side of the dam. The entry from shore is rather steep.
What to do: See the airplane. Lots of fish. An airplane wing is between the airplane and the shore. Also a roadsign is between the airplane and the dam. Ideal for practicing navigation skills in a low vis. environment.
Warnings: Dive flag is absolutely essential. Watch out for jet skiers.