Scuba Diving & Snorkeling in Las Vegas

Scuba Diving & Snorkeling

The creation of Lake Mead flooded a huge expanse of land, and, as a result, sights of the deep abound for scuba divers. The old Mormon town of St. Thomas, inundated by the lake in 1938, has many a watery story to tell. Wishing Well Cove has steep canyon drop-offs, caves, and clear water. Ringbolt Rapids, an exhilarating drift dive, is for the advanced only, and the Tennis Shoe Graveyard, near Las Vegas Wash, is one of many footholds of watery treasures. The yacht Tortuga, doomed and said to be haunted, rests at 50 feet near the Boulder Islands, and Hoover Dam's asphalt factory sits on the canyon floor nearby. The boat Cold Duck, in 35 feet of water, is an excellent training dive. In summer Lake Mead is like a bathtub, reaching 85°F on the surface and staying at about 80°F down to 50 feet below the surface. Divers can actually wear bathing suits rather than wet suits to do some of the shallower dives. But visibility -- which averages 30 feet to 35 feet overall -- is much better in the winter months before the late-spring surface-algae bloom obscures some of the deeper attractions from snorkelers. The National Park Service has designated an underwater trail at Boulder Beach, near the Pyramid Island Causeway; just follow the buoys. Be aware that Lake Mead's level has dropped because of low snowfall in the Rockies. This has had some effect on diving conditions; St. Thomas, for example, is now only partially submerged.

Outfitters & Information

American Cactus Divers. If you have the time to take the two-week course, American Cactus offers scuba-diving classes and issues certificates. 3985 E. Sunset Rd., East Side. 702/433-3483.

Desert Divers Supply. Snorkelers and divers can rent masks, fins, boots, wet suits, tanks, and regulators. 5720 E. Charleston Blvd., East Side. 702/438-1000.

AAI Neptune Divers. Neptune Divers rents scuba equipment and offers lessons. 5831 E. Lake Mead Blvd., East Side. 702/452-5723.