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Top Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in United States

Divers will travel far and wide to find the best diving. Read the United States guide

dive sites
1818
AreasCalifornia322Florida291Hawaii212South Carolina169North Carolina137Washington80Massachusetts62New York61
100 sites, ranked by diver reviews
Molokini Backwall1

Molokini Backwall

5.0(13 reviews)Molokini, Maui, Hawaii

An advanced dive, the Molokini Backwall is a world class wall and drift dive for certified divers only. The Wall is approximately 300ft in depth, however, divers will level off at 80 ft or less. You may see white tip, black tip, and gray reef sharks, manta rays, dolphins and schooling fish. If you travel in the winter months (Oct-Mar) you will most likely run across humpback whales. This can be a drift dives at times, but the current was almost undetectable when I went.

AdvancedMax depth 300 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
2

Homestead Crater

5.0(7 reviews)Utah, USA West

An old hot spring provides a fun and inexpensive dive for beginners and advanced alike. It is a 55-foot tall, beehive-shaped limestone rock that nature has hollowed out and filled with 90' to 96' crystal-clear mineral water. The Homestead Crater is the only warm water scuba diving destination in the continental US and it attracts many diving enthusiasts and those wishing to get certified in a comfortable environment. The hole in the top of the dome lets in light while keeping in the heat. You can dive this year-round and it is a popular place for scuba classes and in-water certification. Homestead Crater is located in Midway, Utah, just outside Park City.

BeginnerMax depth 60 ftShore entry
Biddeford Pool3

Biddeford Pool

5.0(7 reviews)Maine, USA East

During proper weather conditions, this is a pleasant area to dive and explore. All the sea life you would expect should be here. Beginners will enjoy the easy entry and relative shallows, while the advanced divers of your group will desire to explore beyond outer rocks. From Kennybunk Port, you can take Rt. 9 North for about 9.3 miles. Turn right onto Bridge Road, and then in another mile, left on Mile Stretch Rd, bear right on Orcutt Blvd, and go to the end. You can also take Rt. 208 East (Pool Road) out of Biddford for about 5.5 miles, bearing left onto Bridge Road, then left onto Mile Stretch Rd., bear right on Orcutt Blvd, and go to the end.

Shore entry
No photos yet
4

Lake Wazee, Black River Falls

5.0(7 reviews)Wisconsin, USA Mid

Lake Wazee, Black River Falls is a 5.0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Wisconsin, USA Mid which is accessible from shore based on 7 ratings.

Max depth 200 ftShore entry
No photos yet
5

Fantasy Lake Scuba Park

5.0(6 reviews)USA, North Carolina

Private quary with fee access ($15 per day). The park is located 10 miles outside of Raleigh , North Carolina - From Raleigh take 401 North ( Louisburg Road ) to Rolesville. Turn right on E. Young Street (turns into Rolesville Road ) Take E. Young Street past Century Farm Road to Quarry Road (Approx 1 mile.) Turn left on Quarry Road . Fantasy Lake Scuba Park is located 1.2 miles on your left.

BeginnerMax depth 49.9 ftShore entry
Lanai Cathedrals6

Lanai Cathedrals

5.0(5 reviews)Lanai, Hawaii

Off the island of Lanai is a remarkable dive spot known as Lanai Cathedrals. Inside pockmarked lava tubes, beams of light stream in with an ethereal glow creating an underwater cathedral. This beautiful dive is one you won't soon forget. After you take in the gorgeous views, exiting the cathedral can be quite a rush. There is a fun spot where there is a lava shoot where the surge can shoot you out as you exit the cathedral called 'shot gun'. Reef sharks, turtles, and many species found only in Hawai'i live around Cathedrals I and II (First Cathedral and Second Cathedral). With a max depth of 19 metres/65 feet and reliable visibility, Lanai's Cathedrals are accessible for divers of all experience levels. The most common way to dive Lanai Cathedrals is by booking a boat trip from Maui.

BeginnerMax depth 60 ft
No photos yet
7

King's Beach Fishing Area

5.0(5 reviews)Rhode Island, USA East

A lovely, almost secluded beach area that leads down an old boat ramp to an easy entry into about 20-30 fsw after a short to moderate swim. Lots of eel grass, flounder, small fish, and other life. Not an amazing dive but it does the trick. Frequented by classes on weekends so it may get crowded. Viz ranges from 3-20 feet, mostly about 8-10 on a calm day. Route 138 east takes you to the Jamestown bridge. Continue over the Newport Bridge and exit at Scenic Newport. R on Farewell, R on America's Cup Ave, R on Bellevue, L on Ocean, to sign on L for King's Beach Fishing Area. Drive to the parking lot, plenty of room, not crowded, and free. GPS: N 41 27.234 W 071 20.543(parking lot)

Shore entry
La'ie Point8

La'ie Point

5.0(3 reviews)Oahu, Hawaiian Islands

An Advanced Dive to soon be Documented.

Shore entry
No photos yet
9

The Scuba Ranch

5.0(3 reviews)Texas, USA Mid

A great local dive site near the DFW Metroplex. It is a spring fed 22 acre lake/quarry. Visibility is usually good. It is limited to divers and snorkelers--no boating or fishing. Catfish and perch abound. There are a number of interesting objects to discover underwater--an American Airlines plane, a boat, and an artificial shark are all marked with buoys but there is also a casket that you might just find while out exploring. Air fills on site. Picnic shelters. Camping. Hot showers in a bath house. www.clearspringsscubapark.com--is their website From Dallas: Take Hwy. 80 East to Terrell exit. Once you exit, you will proceed 7 miles passing through the downtown area of Terrell and turn left at the Exxon (429 North). Travel 7 miles to Cedar Grove Road (Cty Rd 346) and tur4n right. Go 1 mile and the gate entrance is on our left. Be sure to look for the Dive Flag sign.

Shore entry
No photos yet
10

Blue Water Adventure

5.0(3 reviews)Alabama, USA East

I was certified here, and as far as it goes it was a pretty good setup. There was a small dive shop for small things that may have been forgotten, and they did refill tanks. There was also an area for kids or non-divers to sit and watch the action from above. In the water, there is several wrecked vehicles (one, a 65 Mustang was supposedly Janis Joplin's, don't know how true that was!) , boats, a school bus, 2 fire trucks and several other odd attractions. And a few fish too! Visibility varies, as more people come and go the water gets murkier, but it had pretty good visibility. Web address is http://divealabama.com/ I-65 to exit 246, Pelham… Take a right at the light, follow signs for 31S. Turn Left at Pelham Parkway (still following 31 S). Turn Right on Industrial Park Drive, you will see the huge dive sign. Park is on left past sign.

Shore entry
No photos yet
11

Landing cove

5.0(3 reviews)USA, California, Santa Barbara, Anacapa Island

Landing Cove on Anacapa is one of the oldest marine reserves in Southern California. It has a lot of giant kelp, and lots of big friendly fish and lobsters. The sheephead get big! You may also spot octopi. Green morays occasionally pop up. In spring, look for schools of kelp bass with golden faces: this is part of their mating activity. This site is dived often by the Spectre and Peace, and sometimes by the Truth Aquatics boats. It can be dived from the pier on Landing Cove -- but be careful of the boat traffic!

BeginnerMax depth 40 ftBoat entry
Deception Pass12

Deception Pass

5.0(3 reviews)Washington, USA West

Why dive this site? If things go well, and so far they have for me, (I've been diving with a buddy who lives near the site) you drift with the slack current east past three separate steep walls and sometimes even into a group of pinnacles, until the tide turns and you drift right back to the eddy you started in at the end of the trail. The walls are absolutely covered with life - the colors are more intense and varied than any Hawaiian dive and rival South Pacific dive sites. After the bland dives you've just done in southern Puget Sound, it's hard to believe you're in the same waters (unless you're just coming from the San Juan Islands.) The main difference is that you've diving a solid rock structure, unlike South Sound clay and muck, that is capable of holding securely the filter feeders that live off the potent Deception Pass currents. Once you get used to all the lingcod, painted and kelp greenling on this site, it's time to examine all the different colored anemones and search out the Irish Lords and grunt sculpins. And what are all those other long, pastel filter feeders? You'll never find out unless you try this site! Deception Pass has tons of tourists in season gawking at the whirlpools a couple hundred feet below the bridge connecting Fidalgo and Whidbey Islands. I have never met another diver there, however, though this is the best shore dive I've yet been on in Washington, a state known for its shore dives. Pick up a copy of Henry Powers The Whidbey Island Dive guide or go to his former shop in Oak Harbor or the Anacortes dive shop for information. Here's Henry's drive directions: from the north (I-5 just north of Mount Vernon) head south on SR20 until passing over Deception Pass Bridge onto Whidbey Island. Once on Whidbey Island, take the first right turn into Deception Pass State Park. Next take another right turn into the North Beach area. Park in the upper parking lot. From the South, head North from Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island on SR 20. Just before reaching the bridge turn left into Deception Pass State Park. Next take a left into the North Beach area. Park in the upper parking lot and gear up there (restrooms nearby,) packing your equipment down to the beach. (I'm guessing it's a downhill football field and a bit.) Remember that the park opens on April Fools Day and closes right around October 1st (usually).

Shore entry
No photos yet
13

Army Tanks

5.0(3 reviews)USA, Florida, Miami

There are two M60 Army Tanks placed in 15m deep by the DERM in June of 1994. It is an interesting dive, cos tanks are now an oasis of life... Off Miami Beach

BeginnerMax depth 49.2 ftBoat entry
Front Beach14

Front Beach

5.0(3 reviews)Massachusetts, USA East

Front Beach is best as a swimming beach for the kids. The area is mostly sandy and shallow, with a few patches of rocks. It is, however, an excellent starting point for those willing to make the swim around the point to the left and end up in the next cove over, Back Beach. At the intersection of SR 127 and SR127A in Rockport (NE Cape Ann), turn South on SR 127A (Beach Street) to head into Rockport. In .3 miles, Front Beach will be on your left. You will pass Back Beach along the way.

BeginnerMax depth 29.9 ftShore entry
Wells Beach15

Wells Beach

5.0(3 reviews)Maine, USA East

For an easy sandy entry, try Wells Beach. This intermediate dive offers a view of the typical critters found in this area: lobster, crab, and flounder. A dive flag is required in this area since boats are plentiful. At about 4 miles North of Ogunquit on Route 1, turn right onto Mile Rd. Go about 1 mile to the end, where you will find parking. Park next to the benches, since that is the closest to the stairs to the beach.

Shore entry
Mackerricher State Park16

Mackerricher State Park

5.0(3 reviews)California North, USA West

Mackerricher State Park has an excellent cove for a relatively sheltered dive. The park area itself is open year-round with 140 campsites for tent and RV's. The board walk that winds through the area allows easy access to wildlife and tide pool viewing. Located 3 miles North of Fort Bragg, off Highway 1. For more information on California parks, call 1-800-444-7275 or go to their website here .

Shore entry
No photos yet
17

Lake Jacossee

5.0(2 reviews)South Carolina, USA East

In Salem

Shore entry
No photos yet
18

The Wreck of the Islander

5.0(2 reviews)New York, USA East

One block from restaurants and easy free parking feet from the entry down a short ramp. Swim less than 25 yards and descend on the wreck in about 15 feet. No current. 30 feet viz. Easy as a shore dive can get! Google for more info and start by going here: http://www.1000islands.com/wrecks/ St. Lawrence River, Clayton NY side. This side wheel steamer was built in Rochester, N.Y. in 1871 and launched as James H. Kelly later changed to John Thorn. The Islander measured 125 ft. x 20 ft. x 7 ft. and weighed 118 gross tons. As well as a regular mail carrier between Clayton and Alexandria Bay, the Islander began island and river tours on July 31, 1893. The Islander burnt on Sept. 16, 1909 while at dock at Alexandria Bay. Since the tragedy the Islander has become a favorite dive site for many divers. The Islander is located just off the shoreline of Alexandria Bay. She is angled slightly upstream with a very slight current, which makes this a very pleasurable dive. The stern is in 15 ft. of water with the bow in 60 ft.. The best access to the wreck is to park in the town parking lot in front of the pavilion, just west of the hospital.

Shore entry
Biddeford Coast Guard Station19

Biddeford Coast Guard Station

5.0(2 reviews)Maine, USA East

This is another relatively shallow dive in the Biddeford area.. You will have more of a chance to see seals on this dive, since the rocks offer a good place for them to hang out and consume the abundant Striped Bass. October 2004 - Received from Art Wallace: This is just to thank you for the Biddeford, Maine former Coast Guard site page. I remember many hours on watch in that tower (but I don't remember seeing any divers) from 1963-64, under Chief Boatswain's Mate Lee Merrick (d. Portland, Me. in the 1980's; he also had been keeper of nearby Wood Island Light). The official name was Fletcher's Neck Lifeboat Station, from back in 19th century, and is included in the National Registry of Historic Places. When I was there, lifeboats were no longer hauled out into the surf through those doors opening onto the road; the crew drove to the Pool Harbour to a 30 footer and a self-righting 36 footer; to maintain them, a 1st class Engineman was included in the station complement. It's great to see how beautifully it's been restored after its closure in the early '70s and subsequent neglect for many years. It's a long way from here on Lake Erie and hardly rates mention in the USCG's net files. Thanks very much. From Kennybunk Port, you can take Rt. 9 North for about 9.3 miles. Turn right onto Bridge Road, and then in another mile, left on Mile Stretch Rd, bear right on Orcutt Blvd, and go to the end. You can also take Rt. 208 East (Pool Road) out of Biddford for about 5.5 miles, bearing left onto Bridge Road, then left onto Mile Stretch Rd., bear right on Orcutt Blvd, and go to the end. The station is .3 miles further.

Shore entry
No photos yet
20

Nags Head

5.0(2 reviews)North Carolina, USA East

I have a friend who has a beach house in NC in the Nags Head area. We did shore diving there. Since none of the 'shore sites' are marked, it's a situation of where you have to know where on the beach to start, where to park, find the condo or beach house you use to reference the dive, then go X amount distance offshore and dive down and look. For example: The Tri-Wrecks. There are 3 wrecks (trawlers) in one place in 30-45 feet of water that are 100 yards offshore of a beach house. Two of the boats collided years ago and both sunk. Another hit the wreck years later and sunk. So all three together. Lots of fish and even sharks can be found on the wreck. It's a great dive, close to shore and a boat is not needed. The surf can be kinda rough and so can surface conditions, but it's as free as the cost of an air fill. If you go up there, most of the dive shops can probably draw you a map of how to find it. Not a recommended dive for a first time diver due to rough surface conditions swimming out to the wreck or for somebody who doesn't swim well. The surface swim is rough, but conserves air. In heavy surf, you'll have to dive and swim under the waves or get beat to heck and then re-surface past them and surface swim. There are also several other dives from the shore. One south of nags head that even sticks up out of the water, so it's easy to find, near Orgeon inlet. A little web research found the OBX dive shop we use. They have a list of wrecks on their website obxdive they also give shore dives. They talk about the tri-wreck calling it the 'triangle wreck'. You'll need to get a little more info that what they have to find the tri-wrecks underwater as they aren't right on the 2nd street access, but just probably about 40-80 yards south of it on the beach. The last date we went we were lucky as a group of spear fishing skin divers took a raft out and had it tied to the wreck, so was really easy to find. :)

Shore entry
Snorkeling & Scuba Map of United States: numbered map of the top 13 dive and snorkel sites, with ratings
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Numbers match the ranked list of United States dive and snorkel sites. Full map with key

Top dive shops in United States

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Kona Honu Divers, Inc.
5.0 (3000) · Kailua-Kona
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Starfish Scuba
5.0 (580) · Boynton Beach
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Trident Adventures LLC
5.0 (390) · Honolulu
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Columbus Scuba Inc.
5.0 (241) · Columbus
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United States diving guide

Ready to check out the best sites in United States for scuba diving, snorkeling, shore diving, free diving or other ocean activities? Zentacle has 1818 dive sites, snorkel spots, beaches, and more. Discover hand-curated maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you.
Divers will travel far and wide to find the best diving. But those who live in the United States have plenty of great diving on their doorstep as well, with plentiful access to the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. From warm-water reefs to temperate seas, here are some of the top places to scuba dive in the United States.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best dive and snorkel sites in the United States?

Based on Zentacle reviews, the top-rated sites in the United States are Molokini Backwall (5.0 from 13 reviews), Homestead Crater (5.0 from 7 reviews) and Biddeford Pool (5.0 from 7 reviews).

Where is the best snorkeling for beginners in the United States?

The top-rated beginner sites are Homestead Crater (5.0 from 7 reviews), Fantasy Lake Scuba Park (5.0 from 6 reviews) and Lanai Cathedrals (5.0 from 5 reviews).

Where can I shore dive in the United States?

Homestead Crater, Biddeford Pool, Lake Wazee, Black River Falls and Fantasy Lake Scuba Park are the top-rated sites you can enter from shore.

What is the best advanced dive in the United States?

Molokini Backwall (5.0 from 13 reviews), reached by boat, with a maximum depth of 300 ft.