From a staggering wall made of granite boulders, to a sunken forest of ancient trees, these Lake Tahoe scuba diving sites are a must for lovers of all things adventure and mystery.
Intrepid scuba divers not turned off by the chilly temps of Lake Tahoe will discover an aquatic fantasyland of eerie sights and top-notch visibility under the surface of this 122,200-acre lake. The prime perk of diving Lake Tahoe lies in its underwater canvas of shipwrecks, dreamlike forests with 80-foot tall trees that are more than 2,000 years old, and mazes of boulders. And the fact that the water clarity is often pristine makes divers feel like they’re flying above the surface of an alien planet.
As there are pockets of the like still unexplored, it is referred to by some as the Bottomless Lake. This uncharted territory has resulted in lore that includes everything from Lady of the Lake, a murderous mermaid, and Tahoe Tessie, a relative of the Loch Ness Monster, to a teahouse on a tiny island haunted by the hermit Captain Dick Barter who drowned in the waters. If you’re up for a spine tingling adventure, Lake Tahoe is your spot.
Following are compelling Tahoe dive sites worth asking your dive master about.
Note: If you’re wondering who to dive with, Sierra Dive Center will treat you right.
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Rubicon Wall
One of the most spectacular destinations for experienced divers, this dramatic vertical wall features 70 to 100 foot visibility, sightings of fingerling trout that number in the thousands and a true sense of perspective for the yawning size of the lake.
Emerald Bay
The emerald green water at this appropriately named bay gives the impression of diving in the tropics… with the exception of the shocking temp difference. The primary subsurface sights here include cabins and trees, creating the illusion of a long lost logger’s village that was eaten by the lake.
Stateline Wall
After a 900-foot surface swim from Brockway Beach you’ll reach the awe-inspiring 800-foot drop of this wall, which is composed of massive boulders stacked on top of one another.
Diver’s Cove
If you stay close to shore this is a good spot for beginners wanting to explore granite rock formations, a cave and a sunken barge. More experienced divers can head further out where cliffs and sunken trees await.
Meeks Bay
One of the most family-friendly dive sites, Meeks Bay offers a diverse collection of underwater creatures, with common sightings of schools of minnows, whitefish, mackinaw, and crawdads hiding under the aquatic trees. In addition, the pristine beach and ample picnicking sites makes this a fun place to post up and stay for a while.
Carnelian Bay
This is a favorite spot for summer night dives, as you can explore ghost-like fishing boats and motor blocks, massive submerged logs, and a sunken barge. And at night, the crawdads, rainbow trout and bottom sculpins come out to play.
Baldwin Beach
The primary attraction here are the underwater trees, some as old as 6,400 years, giving the site a striking sense of history.
Sophie Turner is the adventure travel writer behind AdventureTravelFam.com. With over 10 years of experience in travel writing and a Master’s degree in Tourism Management, Sophie shares her expertise in exploring unique destinations and providing family-friendly travel tips. Follow her adventures on Instagram @adventure_travelfamily.
