Ever wonder what is like to explore under the surface in National Parks? Several of the National Parks and other National Park units have great opportunities and sites to SCUBA/Snorkel.
SCUBA
SCUBA diving is not the type of activity that is typically on a backpacker’s radar, specifically due to the heavy oxygen tanks and the bulk other equipment required. Diving is a sport and recreation that has many rewards; the feel may be similar to being in the backcountry in a very large open space with no trails and plenty of solitude. Diving grants those the opportunity to view life with intimate closeness of a world spared of human infrastructure.
Be sure to bring the necessary equipment when you SCUBA dive, keep a dive log and know your limits.
Snorkeling
In contrast to diving, snorkeling gear is rather portable. If you are an avid swimmer, you may forego the fins and swim on your own. Snorkeling may be added to any backcountry adventure where there is clean and non-turbulent water.
Some parks prohibit SCUBA diving yet permit snorkeling.
Snorkeling and diving without equipment such as free diving are great ways to explore the National Park System, from top to down under. The NPS website for each of the units in this post is an excellent planning tool.
The following is a list of National Park Units known for snorkeling and/or diving. As I visit the many National Park Units, then the content within each tab will grow in breadth and Pro-Tips.
Dry Tortugas National Park is home to the only tropical coral reef of the United States. While snorkeling is prohibited in the moat at Fort Jefferson on Garden Key, there is plenty of snorkeling just beyond the moat wall. The fish and other coral inhabitants namely jellyfish, crabs and shrimp are sure to create fantastic memories of this family-friendly vacation.
My Visit to Dry Tortugas National Park
NPS Dry Tortugas National Park
The turquoise waters of the Caribbean make for fantastic snorkeling in Virgin Islands National Park in St John, USVI. Green turtles are commonplace in Maho Bay. No mask or snorkel needed when swimming in the debris-free waters looking for turtles.
Upon closer examination, you will see sand sharks at the base of the many turtles. There could be several sharks keeping in stride as the turtles swim past you. Sharks only separate from their “dive buddy” turtles when the turtle swims to the surface to take a breath. Careful not to swim too close as turtles are a protected species and sharks can land a bite when they interpret your presence as a threat.
NPS information on Virgin Islands National Park
By Presidential proclamation, in 2001, former president, Bill Clinton created the Virgin Islands Coral Reef Monument. Located West of Cruz Bay in an area known as Hurricane Hole, this mangrove lined ecosystem contains diverse corals, many fish and marine invertebrates.
Mangroves are a remarkable plant in that they act as a filtering system. These mangroves protect the Virgin Islands Coral Reef Monument from bleaching (toxic degradation). There is limited beach access and a kayak or paddleboard is an enjoyable way to explore this underwater National Park unit. Cruz Bay Watersports is a concessionaire specializing in equipment rentals and tours of the monument. SCUBA diving is prohibited in many of the beaches in St. John (including Trunk Bay). The following excerpt is from the Superintendent’s Compendium on the NPS website.
36 CFR Section 3.23 SCUBA Diving and Snorkeling
77. SCUBA diving and snorkeling is permitted in areas adjacent to beaches and inside boat exclusion areas. SCUBA diving and snorkeling is prohibited in designated boat channels, shipping lanes, and dock areas.
Determining Factors: This regulation provides for a safe visitor experience and minimizes the risk of injury.
78. SCUBA diving is prohibited at Trunk Bay beach.
Determini11g Factors: Due to the high number of visitors at Trunk Bay who are there to snorkel, SCUBA diving activities would interfere with visitor safety.
79. Hookah underwater breathing systems which are powered by internal combustion compressors are prohibited.
Determining Factors: The internal combustion compressors used by many Hookah, underwater breathing systems produce exhaust products and unacceptable sound levels for a National Park. These emissions are disruptive to both, wildlife and visitors to the park.
https://www.nps.gov/viis/learn/management/compendium.htm
Olympic National Park may be guilty of having everything a visitor could want (and more).
SCUBA and snorkeling opportunities are found primarily on the northern end of the Olympic Peninsula as surf and poor visibility affect the western end of Olympic Peninsula.
Refer to the Dive Site Map on NPS website with the unmistakable diver down flag indicating the sites known for SCUBA or Snorkeling. Olympic Diver Down
Additionally, freshwater diving in Lake Crescent is a great way to enjoy the pristine environment at one of the most well known lakes in the National Park System. With visibility of nearly 150ft., there are two main dive sites in Lake Crescent. The first of these dive sites is a barge on the northern end of the lake and the second called Sledgehammer Point Wall both accessible near East Beach of Lake Crescent.
Cape Lookout National Seashore
Check out the tabs above to see where you can SCUBA, Snorkel or Dive (without gear) in the National Park Units.
Note: Scuba Diving is Prohibited in Crater Lake National Park (Since at Least 2012)
While it is possible to swim at Cleetwood Cove in Crater Lake National Park, there are policies in place to limit recreation that is deemed harmful to the environment. Crater Lake National Park views SCUBA diving as harmful due to rubber and other synthetic fibers on much of the diving equipment. Crater Lake in Oregon is one of the cleanest lakes on this planet and it is imperative that it remain that way.
For additional water related recreation in the National Parks see Recreation: H₂O