When we think of scuba diving, we usually picture the crystal-clear waters of the Bahamas, or the colorful corals of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. And while these are definitely great places to scuba dive, there’s no need to go quite that far to get a taste of the underwater world!
There are several great scuba diving spots right here in Houston that are frequented by beginners and experts alike, and even if you’ve never touched a scuba mask before in your life, there are plenty of schools where you can get certified as a scuba diver!
If you live in our luxury Houston apartments, scuba diving is much more accessible here than you may think, and it truly is an activity that nearly everyone can pick up relatively quickly. We’ve listed some of the steps you need to take to become scuba certified, plus some great scuba diving locations that you can visit right here in the city.
Scuba diving in Houston
Getting involved in scuba diving
Determine eligibility
Luckily, nearly everyone can learn to scuba dive! Though the specifics may vary around the world, the current age minimum for most scuba diving courses in the United States is 10-12 years old. There is no upper age limit as of now, but there are a few physical requirements that future divers need to be able to meet.
In order to get scuba certified, participants must be able to exhibit basic swimming skills like treading water, swimming 200 yards and floating, as well as have the go-ahead from a doctor if there are underlying health concerns.
Pick a scuba diving course
Many places offer scuba diving courses, most of which will start with the PADI Open Water Diver course. Check out this list of scuba courses in Houston to find one that is closest to you!
Acquire scuba gear
Scuba gear can be expensive to both rent and buy, so spend some time thinking about how committed you are to the activity.
If you’re a beginner and are just dipping your toes in the waters (both literally and figuratively) of scuba diving, then renting is probably the way to go. Though it may be pricey to rent, renting gear gives you the opportunity to see how much you like scuba diving before committing to your own set of gear. Once you’re more comfortable with the activity and are diving more frequently, then buying your own gear becomes considerably more affordable.
Get certified
There are different levels of certification required for different types of diving. The Open Water Diving certification is the first certification you’ll need to do any kind of scuba diving, but there are other certifications you can get, too! Here’s a list of scuba certifications that allow you to dive in wrecks, dive deeper underwater or dive in rougher conditions!
Where to go scuba diving near Houston
Now that you’ve got all you need, you can head out to any of these great scuba spots around Houston!
Blue Lagoon
Location: 649 Pinedale Road, Huntsville TX
Difficulty level: Beginner-Advanced
Cost: $7-$26 / person
Known locally as one of the premier scuba spots in Houston, Blue Lagoon offers a wide variety of scuba amenities from lessons to dive spots to gear stores and more!
If you do plan on going, make sure to make a reservation under a certified diver’s name, otherwise you may get turned away. Because the location is so widely known and space is limited, preference is given to certified divers.
Lake Longhorn
Location: 2391 Gun Range Road, League City, TX
Difficulty level: Beginner-Advanced
Cost: $15 / person
Lake Longhorn is a popular outdoor recreation spot for a wide variety of water sports, including paddle boarding, open-water swimming, kayaking and fishing. And scuba diving, of course!
Because this is a multisport lake and not a scuba-only spot, there’s plenty to do all over the lake, such as picnic tables and lawn areas. In the scuba diving area, there are air tank refills, a scuba store, gear rentals, training platforms and swim-through attractions to see while underwater. There are more attractions being added all the time, so keep checking to see what’s new!
Mammoth Lake
Location: 330 North Dixie Drdrive, Building F, Lake Jackson, Texas
Difficulty level: Beginner-Advanced
Cost: $20 / person
This lake was once a large, sandy pit, frequently inhabited by nomadic tribes throughout prehistoric times. In 2006, the area was transformed into a lake designed for scuba diving activities.
Mammoth Lake was named for the massive Ice Age Mammoth skull discovered there in 2003, a few years before the lake was actually a lake. Now, scuba divers can explore the lake bed and check out the many fish, turtles and plants that make up the man-made lake.
Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary
Location: About 80 miles offshore
Difficulty level: Intermediate-Advanced
Cost: Varies
The Flower Garden Banks make up a natural reef about 80-125 miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico, requiring divers to find some form of charter service to even reach the dive site!
The reefs themselves are clustered in three main groups, all of which are teeming with aquatic life. It’s common to see a wide variety of fish, corals, sponges and plants, as well as a few endangered aquatic species not seen elsewhere.
Because this dive site is so far offshore, it’s recommended that only intermediate or advanced divers visit the area. Beginners are, of course, welcome to try it out, but the possibility of harsher weather and adverse conditions remain present.
Enjoy!
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Featured photo courtesy Pixabay/12019
Colleen Ford is a South African who now lives on Oahu in Hawai'i. She loves to travel, camp, spearfish and hike. She's also part of a super cool canoe club and is pretty decent at it. Colleen enjoys Star Wars and also not being cold ever.
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