Top Scuba Diving & Snorkeling Locations in Des Moines, Iowa, United States
1. Rock Creek Marina
Enjoy scuba diving in clear waters teeming with fish and plants. Dive sites offer a variety of depths for all levels.
- Accessibility: Easy access from the marina makes it convenient for divers.
- Diversity of Marine Life: Variety of fish and plant species create an exciting underwater experience.
- Depth Variation: Offers different depths suitable for divers of all skill levels.
2. Jester Park
Explore the sinkholes in this park's lake, providing unique diving experiences with a chance to see turtles and rare fish.
- Sinkholes: Uncommon geological formations offer a distinct diving experience.
- Turtle Sightings: Opportunities to observe turtles during your dive.
- Rare Fish Species: Encounter uncommon fish species that are not typically found in other diving sites.
3. Des Moines Waterworks Park
Experience a historic park with crystal-clear waters and diverse marine life. Dive sites offer opportunities for underwater exploration.
- Historical Significance: A chance to explore a historically significant site.
- Clear Waters: Offers clear waters for easy underwater visibility.
- Marine Diversity: Variety of marine life creates an exciting diving experience.
4. Pleasant Creek Preserve
Dive into a peaceful creek with a variety of aquatic plants and wildlife. Suitable for beginners due to shallow waters.
- Peaceful Environment: Offers a serene and tranquil diving experience.
- Shallow Waters: Ideal for beginner divers or snorkelers due to the shallow depth.
- Aquatic Plant Life: Diverse plant life adds to the underwater scenery.
5. Saylorville Lake
Discover a submerged forest with diverse marine life. Offers various dive sites for different levels.
- Submerged Forest: Explore a unique underwater landscape created by a submerged forest.
- Diversity of Dive Sites: Variety of dive sites catering to different levels of divers.
- Marine Life Diversity: Encounter a wide variety of marine life during your dive.
6. Red Rock River Valley
Explore the clear waters of Red Rock Lake with its unique rock formations and diverse aquatic life.
- Clear Waters: Offers good underwater visibility.
- Unique Rock Formations: Underwater rock formations add to the diving experience.
- Diverse Aquatic Life: Variety of aquatic life creates an exciting underwater experience.
7. Meadow Lake Park
Dive into a picturesque lake with clear waters and abundant marine life. Suitable for both snorkeling and scuba diving.
- Clear Waters: Offers good underwater visibility.
- Abundant Marine Life: Variety of marine life adds to the diving experience.
- Snorkeling and Scuba Diving Opportunities: Suits both snorkelers and scuba divers.
8. Lake Ahquabi
Discover a clear lake with unique underwater landscapes and diverse marine life. Offers various dive sites for all levels.
- Clear Waters: Offers good underwater visibility.
- Unique Underwater Landscapes: Uncommon underwater features add to the diving experience.
- Variety of Dive Sites: Caters to divers of all skill levels with various dive sites.
9. Lake Anita
Experience a serene lake with clear waters and diverse marine life. Suitable for both snorkeling and scuba diving.
- Clear Waters: Offers good underwater visibility.
- Diverse Marine Life: Variety of marine life adds to the diving experience.
- Snorkeling and Scuba Diving Opportunities: Suits both snorkelers and scuba divers.
10. Red Rock Reservoir
Explore the clear waters of Red Rock Reservoir with its unique rock formations and diverse aquatic life.
- Clear Waters: Offers good underwater visibility.
- Unique Rock Formations: Underwater rock formations add to the diving experience.
- Diverse Aquatic Life: Variety of aquatic life creates an exciting underwater experience.
11. Prairie Creek Lake
Discover a picturesque lake with clear waters and abundant marine life. Suitable for both snorkeling and scuba diving.
- Clear Waters: Offers good underwater visibility.
- Abundant Marine Life: Variety of marine life adds to the diving experience.
- Snorkeling and Scuba Diving Opportunities: Suits both snorkelers and scuba divers.
12. Lake Manawa
Experience a serene lake with clear waters and diverse marine life. Offers various dive sites for all levels.
- Clear Waters: Offers good underwater visibility.
- Diverse Marine Life: Variety of marine life adds to the diving experience.
- Variety of Dive Sites: Caters to divers of all skill levels with various dive sites.
13. Lake Wollersheim
Explore the clear waters of Lake Wollersheim with its unique underwater landscapes and diverse aquatic life.
- Clear Waters: Offers good underwater visibility.
- Unique Underwater Landscapes: Uncommon underwater features add to the diving experience.
- Diverse Aquatic Life: Variety of aquatic life creates an exciting underwater experience.
14. Lake Panorama
Dive into a serene lake with clear waters and abundant marine life. Suitable for both snorkeling and scuba diving.
- Clear Waters: Offers good underwater visibility.
- Abundant Marine Life: Variety of marine life adds to the diving experience.
- Snorkeling and Scuba Diving Opportunities: Suits both snorkelers and scuba divers.
15. Lake Ponderosa
Explore the clear waters of Lake Ponderosa with its unique rock formations and diverse aquatic life.
- Clear Waters: Offers good underwater visibility.
- Unique Rock Formations: Underwater rock formations add to the diving experience.
- Diverse Aquatic Life: Variety of aquatic life creates an exciting underwater experience.