Gilboa Quarry offers depths ranging from shallow training areas averaging 25-65 feet to a maximum depth of 140 feet. The shallow end is perfect for newly certified divers, skill practice, and checkout dives. Multiple platforms are placed at various depths on the shallow side allowing divers to practice skills safely.

Gilboa Quarry is known for exceptional freshwater visibility. Average visibility is 30-40 feet year-round, with optimal conditions reaching up to 100 feet. The spring-fed water maintains clarity throughout all seasons, making Gilboa one of the clearest quarry dive sites in the Midwest. Unlike many lakes, we don’t experience significant algae blooms that reduce visibility.

Yes! Gilboa Quarry offers year-round diving opportunities. Each season provides unique experiences: spring offers excellent visibility and fewer crowds, summer brings warmer surface temperatures, fall features beautiful foliage views, and winter diving (including ice diving with proper certification) is available for those seeking cold-water adventures. Water temperatures vary by season, so plan your exposure protection accordingly.

Gilboa Quarry features an impressive array of underwater attractions including sunken planes, helicopters, buses, boats, and other structures. You’ll also encounter exposed limestone rock walls, submerged trees creating an underwater forest effect, and Nemo’s Garden—the world’s first freshwater underwater biosphere. Wild lifee nthusiasts will enjoy encounters with giant paddlefish (some over 4 feet long!), schools of trout, koi, bass, and occasionally sturgeon.

Yes, our on-site fill station provides air fills, banked Nitrox 32, custom blend oxygen, and 100% oxygen for decompression training needs. We also support rebreather fills. Trimix is not currently available. Fill station pricing is available at this link or on-site. All gas fills meet industry safety standards.

Yes, we offer complete recreational diving equipment rentals including BCDs, regulators, wetsuits, tanks, and weights. Rental packages are available for divers traveling without gear or needing backup equipment. All rental gear is well-maintained and inspected regularly. All gear is rented on a first come, first served basis, but with our extensive rental inventory we can accomodate nearly every diver. 

Yes, the buddy system is required for all dives at Gilboa Quarry with one exception: divers with Self-Reliant Diver certification can dive solo after checking in at the front desk and registering for self-reliant diving. All other divers must dive with a buddy for safety. If you’re diving alone, we encourage connecting with other divers/dive groups to form buddy teams.

Absolutely! Many divers make Gilboa a multi-day destination by camping on-site. We offer both tent camping and RV camping with convenient access to the dive site, bathhouse facilities, and all amenities. Wake up, dive, rinse your gear, relax by the campfire, and repeat—all without leaving the property. It’s the ultimate dive weekend experience.

Each season offers different advantages. Summer (June–August) provides warmest water and peak swimming conditions but busier crowds. Spring and early summer (May–June) offer excellent water clarity, moderate temperatures, and fewer campers. Fall (September–October) delivers autumn foliage, comfortable daytime weather, cool campfire evenings, and peaceful atmosphere. Late fall suits experienced cold-weather campers seeking solitude, though some services may be limited. Check our visitor passes page for seasonal schedules or contact us to plan your visit.