Your Ultimate Guide to Scuba Diving, Lake Hydra
Scuba diving at Lake Hydra, formerly known as Dutch Springs, is a popular pastime for Bethlehem residents and tourists alike and continues unabated despite the development of the surrounding land.
The lake is a hotspot for learner divers as well as more accomplished explorers, offering a vast array of onsite amenities to ensure you enjoy time spent here. Many underwater features make diving at this quarry a bucket list item for every scuba enthusiast, regardless of their experience levels.
Read our open water scuba guide to learn everything you need to know about scuba diving at Lake Hydra.
Best Time to Go Scuba Diving at Lake Hydra
Bethlehem, PA, is humid in the summer and cold in the winter.
Temperatures range between 23°F and 85°F, and rarely goes below 9°F or above 93°F at Lake Hydra. You can scuba dive almost year-round here, but spring and fall are the best times for this activity.
During these seasons, you can expect visibility to exceed 30 feet, although spring water temperatures are usually around 40°F. In the summer, the water temperature can reach the high 70s, but visibility drops to around 15 feet due to algae growth.
As the weather warms, the heavier, colder layers of water sink toward the bottom. At Lake Hydra, you may encounter three thermoclines, one at a depth of 26 feet, one at 60 feet and another at 90 feet.
Wearing a dry suit helps you cope with these chilly depths.
What Do You Need for Hydra Underwater Exploration?
You’ll find everything you need for diving available on-site at Lake Hydra. There are dive schools and places to hire all the necessary equipment.
You must achieve your PADI Open Water Diver certification before you can fully explore Lake Hydra. Recreational divers must have a certified and insured diver at their side while exploring these waters.
The Best Lake Hydra Diving Spots
Lake Hydra has two sides, the east side or student side and the west side or the peninsula side. The pump house near the east side has a floating dock and is one of the quieter sites at Lake Hydra and a good place to see koi fish.
Nearby, a Challenger jet is suspended in the water, offering wonderful photo ops and opportunities to swim through the fuselage. Keep swimming, and you’ll come across a submerged crane and a tanker.
Other notable attractions include a fire engine, a Sikorsky helicopter, and a school bus.
There is a map of all the underwater features available, and most of them are marked by a buoy, so it’s easy to plan your diving excursions at Lake Hydra.
Gear Up for Scuba Diving at Lake Hydra
If you’re serious about learning to scuba dive or looking to explore one of the country’s most interesting dive sites, scuba diving at Lake Hydra is a great option for you. The lake offers fascinating underwater sights, great visibility, experienced instructors, and many onsite amenities.
Our experienced Scuba Guru team is based at Lake Hydra and offers comprehensive instruction and exciting excursions courtesy of qualified and accomplished instructors.
Browse our blog for more scuba diving tips or take the plunge by signing up for your next underwater excursion.
