Scuba Diving, Lake Hydra: An Unforgettable Experience
Pennsylvania is a scuba diving enthusiast’s paradise, with 2,400 lakes, ponds, and reservoirs, plus 65,000 miles of streams. Scuba diving at Lake Hydra is a great option for practicing your diving around the northeast.
From its murky past as a limestone mine and cement plant, Lake Hydra has emerged as a premier destination for water-based activities and is home to excellent freshwater scuba diving opportunities.
Read on for more details about what to expect from your Lake Hydra underwater adventures.
About Lake Hydra
Lake Hydra is a limestone quarry that has a natural aquifer. The water filters naturally through limestone along the way, making for good visibility when diving.
The lake has a Caribbean vibe, with water temperatures averaging around 70°F down to 30 feet deep, which is close to the optimum temperature for aquatic instruction. Many species of fish thrive in these clear, warm waters, and you can expect to see:
- Koi
- Bluegills
- Yellow perch
- Large-mouth bass
You are assured of a comfortable and convenient experience when visiting Lake Hydra, thanks to heated changing rooms, restrooms, and onsite catering. There is also a scuba tank rental facility available and a filling station for air and nitrox.
Preparing for Your Dive at Lake Hydra
Scuba diving classes are essential before you attempt any type of open-water diving. Lake Hydra has excellent training facilities, with dive instructors, divemasters, and EMTs on site.
It also has confined-water areas for simulating open-water dives in a pool-like environment. You can hire all the necessary equipment onsite.
Some academic aspects of the training take place online, and you’ll take your first steps in a secure, safe environment.
You need a PADI Open Water Diver certification before venturing out of the training area at Lake Hydra. Recreational divers must be accompanied by a certified and insured dive professional.
These experts can assist you with scuba diving tips so you enjoy your dive to the fullest, and they will also keep you out of trouble in the depths of the lake.
Lake Hydra Attractions
You can expect to see many interesting sights under the water at Lake Hydra. Over the years, several interesting objects have been sunk for the enjoyment of divers.
These include:
- Trucks
- Cars
- Planes
- A tanker
- A school bus
An 88-foot-long, 27-foot-wide Sikorsky H-37 helicopter is suspended 55 feet above the bottom of the lake. These structures have become overgrown with aquatic plants and form the perfect breeding ground and hunting ground for resident fish species.
The submerged upper structure of the pump house, which resembles an oil rig, is particularly attractive for colorful koi fish.
Go Scuba Diving at Lake Hydra
Scuba diving at Lake Hydra offers a lot of underwater attractions and also allows you to advance your scuba diving skills.
Scuba Guru presents the ideal introduction to the magic of the underwater world, right here at Lake Hydra, PA. We are a PADI-accredited dive school with knowledgeable instructors who provide a highly personalized experience for every student.
We can’t wait to show you all the best PA, NY, and NJ diving spots. Start your adventure with us today.
