The magical world of Atlantis is present in every movie that had an underwater world. This beautiful Lagoon might not be Atlantis, but it isn’t short of it either. If you’re looking for an accessible freshwater dive in Texas, this place is for you.
Located in the Houston area, at 449 Pinedale Road, Huntsville, TX 77320, you will find the place easily enough. Notice the “Blue Lagoon” painted on a rock, and make your way right to the site.
For your convenience, we’ve compiled all the details you need to know about this beautiful site before you go diving.
What Is the Blue Lagoon in Texas?
Texas has numerous watering holes, but there isn’t another watering hole in the State that is as blue and clear as this one. The Blue Lagoon is the primary scuba diving site in Texas, serving people with its deep and clear waters. However, you will have to pay a steep price, around $26 for every non-diver, to enter this natural pool.
Huntsville is located about one and a half-hour hours north to Houston, about five miles. This tropical paradise created just for you has two clear pools called the Blue Lagoon. These pools consist of two limestone quarries, and the green-blue water has almost clear visibility.
If you’re looking to see aquatic life or some tropical vegetation, you might be disappointed. This swimming hole doesn’t teem with life, unlike others. It doesn’t have any natural vegetation or wildlife, and the only species living here is the dragonfly nymph.
The Blue Lagoon Rules
The team at the Blue Lagoon openly welcomes all visitors and divers. Amidst the pine trees that surround the swimming hole, you’ll find this place the ultimate destination for relaxation. However, like every public place, there are some rules you need to follow.
The team there wants to make sure that everyone has a fun but safe experience and request you to follow some regulations.
- You won’t be able to cliff jump or jump off any of the rocks into the water.
- No pets are allowed.
- You cannot invade others’ privacy and have to respect the crowd (no loud music, no profanities, etc.).
- You can’t carry glass containers.
- If you’re under 18, you will not be permitted without the guidance of an instructor or parent.
- If you’re under 18, your parent must carry proper identification for assurance.
- You aren’t allowed to carry huge floats or inflatable boats (any size).
- You’re allowed to carry single person small floats.
- Generators aren’t allowed.
- The place doesn’t have BBQ grills, but you can bring your own.
- You can enter the water but can’t do open water swimming.
- You need to report violations to the office.
- You must call 911 in case of emergency.
The Blue Lagoon Entry Fees
This tropical elysian allows you to escape Texas’s heat with its pleasant surroundings and family-friendly atmosphere. You can bring your family here for a one-day picnic as well. Here are the rates for you to calculate before planning a picnic.
- Divers have to pay $21.00 per person.
- Non-divers have to pay $26.00 per person (anyone of and above 10 years).
- Children (anyone of and below 9 years) have to pay $7.00 per person.
Individuals under 18 need to come with a parent or a scuba diving instructor to enter the facility.
The Blue Lagoon Hours of Operation
The team at Blue Lagoon wants non-divers as they are a scuba diving training facility. Therefore, the hours of operation differ for certified scuba divers/ people with office needs and non-divers.
Timings for Certified Scuba Divers/ People with Office Needs
The blue-green waters will stay open for scuba divers and office needs from Monday to Sunday. From Monday to Friday, the timings are 10 am to 6 pm. On the other hand, on weekends (Saturday and Sunday), the timings are from 8 am to 6 pm.
The facility won’t let individuals enter after 4 pm on any day of the week, so ensure that you reach on time. All certified divers need to make reservations for a site and carry the gear needed. However, if short of it, they can also rent the gear from the facility.
The Blue Lagoon Rental Gear
To overcome our disability of not breathing underwater, you’ll require some gear to help you navigate the deep seas. If you’re a diver, you already know the type of gear you required, and if you aren’t, you can always read on it. You can carry your own gear to this beautiful facility or rent it.
The facility has gear renting services to all persons. Here is the wide selection of rental gear with their prices.
- Tank (air)- $15 with additional taxes
- Tank (nitrox)- $20 with additional taxes
- BCD $20 with additional taxes
- Weights- $1.50 per pound with additional taxes
- Wet suit- $20 with additional taxes
- Air Fills- 8
- Nitrox Fills $15 with additional taxes
If you need to know some more about the basic equipment you need to have before scuba diving, here is a list.
- Air cylinder to carry pressurized air for you to breathe
- Regulator to give you appropriate breathing gas
- Buoyancy control device to control your buoyancy underwater
- Mask to allow you to see clearly
- Fins to reduce the effort
- Wet suit to keep you warm
- Weights to counteract the natural buoyancy
Timings for Non-Divers
The Blue Lagoon facility is open to non-divers from Monday to Sunday as well. From Monday to Friday the hours are from 10 am to 6 pm. While on weekends (Saturday and Sunday), the hours are from 12 pm to 6 pm.
The facility doesn’t let individuals enter the premises after 4 pm on any day of the week, so make sure you’re on time.
The Blue Lagoon Scuba Diving Classes
This underrated facility also offers scuba diving lessons for all you non-divers! The facility is a PADI 5-star dive facility used for recreational purposes. It offers scuba diving classes with certifications for Houston and its surrounding areas.
You will get an all-in-one service with a dive shop selling lessons, travel, and gear. You and your family can take any course ranging from learning open water classes to learning PADI open water. It’s time for you to take up a new hobby!
Blue Lagoon specializes in helping individuals become divers while forming bonds and becoming a family. It claims that even if you take a class in one weekend, you’ll be able to dive anywhere across the world.
The facility also houses a heated/air-conditioned bunkhouse for you to have during the weekends when you visit. You will have everything you need for the perfect weekend staycation: online fees, equipment, park fees, equipment, hot shower, and a bed.
If you choose to start with the PADI online course, you’ll save money and time. You’ll be able to do online work from home and then visit the Blue Lagoon during the weekends. The fee for this particular course is $465.00, which includes everything you need for certification (includes the online fees).
All the open water courses are given at the Blue Lagoon itself. It brings scuba diving lessons for Houston Tx, The Woodlands Tx, Conroe Tx, and other surrounding areas. You won’t need to spend more money for multiple weeks of training to get a Texan Scuba certification. You can call or email the facility if you have any questions regarding the classes.
As soon as you’re certified, you can join one of the site’s group trips or pick a private trip for yourself. Put on your fins and strap in your cylinders!
Limited Space
The facility has limited space, and the waiting room regularly fills up with hoards of people. This amount even exceeds the people who are accommodated inside.
The waiting line is formed on the premises, and individuals are allowed to enter as and when space clears. When the waiting line also reaches the maximum limit allowed, the team will direct all the incoming vehicles away.
Vehicles that come after the waiting line has reached its maximum limit won’t be allowed to wait on the county road. It is done to ensure correct traffic flow and avoid hazardous situations.
Vehicles will be allowed to join the waiting line after a while if there is enough space. You are likely to find crowd when you visit the facility. You might have to go a different route and opt for another plan if you’re turned away.
Conclusion
Now that you know everything you need to about this heaven on earth, be sure to visit the place. You can also sign up for the scuba diving lessons to become a pro within a weekend! That sure does sound exciting when you can also take your family along for a weekend picnic.
In case you are unable to make it, you can also visit the beautiful places around the Blue Lagoon. You can go to the Texas Prison Museum, Sam Houston Statue, Sam Houston Memorial Museum, and Old Town Theatre.
