Explore Inland New York
Inland New York offers an exhilarating freshwater diving experience, drawing enthusiasts to its remarkable lakes, quarries, and rivers. The Finger Lakes, a series of long, narrow lakes in central New York, boast exceptional dive sites like Red Hook Wall. This area not only provides recreational diving opportunities but also challenges divers with technical and altitude diving options. The clarity of the water is astounding, often reaching up to 30 meters/100 feet, making it a diver's paradise for exploring vivid underwater landscapes.
The region's historical significance adds another layer of intrigue, especially with the St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes. These waters were among the first navigable waterways in the New World, harboring a treasure trove of well-preserved shipwrecks. Lakes Erie and Ontario are particularly famous for their pristine wrecks, offering a glimpse into maritime history. Divers should prepare for colder conditions, bringing their thickest wetsuits or drysuits to fully enjoy these exquisite underwater sites that make New York's inland diving both unique and captivating.
Dive Activity
Diving in Inland New York
Inland New York offers several intriguing freshwater dive sites perfect for adventurous divers. The St. Lawrence River is a notable spot, known for its clear waters and fascinating shipwrecks, attracting both shore and boat divers. With visibility often exceeding 30 meters/98 feet, it's a favored site for exploring submerged historical vessels and unique geological formations.
The Dutch Springs Quarry is another popular destination, providing a controlled environment ideal for training and recreational dives. This site features submerged platforms and aircraft, offering diverse underwater experiences. Common aquatic life in these areas includes bass, sunfish, and the occasional eel, enhancing the allure for divers seeking varied encounters beneath the surface.
Top Wildlife Sightings in Inland New York
Inland New York's freshwater bodies, such as the Finger Lakes and the Hudson River, offer a rich array of wildlife for divers. Common fish species include bass, perch, and sunfish, often found in clear, shallow waters. Catfish and sturgeon, which can grow quite large, are special sightings and typically inhabit deeper, cooler sections of rivers and lakes. Seasonal spawning increases the likelihood of encountering species like trout, especially in spring. Visibility in these waters varies, with clearer conditions found in spring and fall when algal blooms are minimal. Deeper dives can reveal unique species, but divers should be prepared for lower temperatures and reduced visibility at depth. Planning dives around seasonal changes can enhance the chance of witnessing fascinating behaviors such as spawning, making every dive a potentially rewarding experience.
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 19
iStock-ANDY_BOWLIN
570 Sightings
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 30
Shutterstock-Rostislav Stefanek
Carp
143 Sightings
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 3
iStock-jpa1999
Perch
117 Sightings
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 2000
AdobeStock-Alex
Loach Goby
99 Sightings
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 35
Shutterstock-divedog
Trout
63 Sightings
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 5
Shutterstock-Rostislav Stefanek
Walleye
59 Sightings
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 3000
Shutterstock-zsolt_uveges
Catfish
52 Sightings
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 600
Shutterstock-dushkovladimir
Crayfish
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The best Months to dive in Inland New York
Freshwater diving in Inland New York offers diverse conditions throughout the year. In winter, water temperatures can drop to 0°C/32°F, often resulting in ice cover on lakes, which restricts diving activities. However, ice diving becomes a unique experience for the adventurous. Visibility during winter is generally good due to reduced algae growth.
As spring arrives, melting ice can decrease visibility temporarily. Water temperatures gradually rise to about 10°C/50°F, making conditions more favorable. Summer sees the water warming up to 24°C/75°F, providing the best diving conditions with clear visibility and comfortable temperatures. Fall maintains pleasant conditions until temperatures begin to drop. The best months for diving are from June to September, when conditions are most stable and accessible for divers.
