So I’ve lived in Virginia my entire life, and one of the last things I would have thought is that it’s a great destination for scuba diving. Then, I decided to get my scuba certification in 2024, and I learned that it actually has some fantastic scuba diving sites!
At the top of that list is Lake Phoenix, which is a large quarry in central Virginia that has been converted into a premier and exclusive scuba diving site. It’s one of the most popular dive sites on the entire East Coast!
Here, I want to tell you everything you need to know about the best scuba diving in Virginia!
Scuba Diving in Virginia
Top Scuba Diving Sites in Virginia
Lake Phoenix
Lake Phoenix is an incredible dive site located in central Virginia, about 57 miles southwest of Richmond. The nearest major town is Petersburg, which is 33 miles away.
The lake was originally a rock quarry that was later converted into a scuba site. The lake is now exclusively for scuba divers. You must be a certified diver or be visiting with a diving company in order to use the lake.
The site is really lovely. The lake is large enough without being too overwhelming. The waters are naturally calm, which makes it a great site for beginning divers.
Lake Phoenix is filled with fascinating objects that have been submerged in the water. It’s like a water wonderland, filled with underwater basketball hoops (you can play basketball with bowling balls underwater!), cars, a school bus, rings to swim through, an underwater “selfie” mirror, a full living room underwater, and even a plane and helicopter!
And while it’s not quite the Caribbean, there are also a surprisingly large number of fish in the water, including some rather large ones, which is really cool!
There are also specially designed platforms underwater, which are perfect for learning underwater skills, including the skills needed to pass scuba certification.
Many parts of the lake, particularly near the dock and shore, are pretty shallow, with a depth of only about 30 feet. The maximum depth of the lake is about 65 feet. This means you can officially use the lake for advanced scuba diving certification.
Visibility is generally pretty good, though this depends on the weather. The water can get quite murky when it rains. When the weather is sunny, though, visibility can be excellent, which makes it a great location for underwater photography.
Beyond the quarry itself, Lake Phoenix also has a campsite where you can bring an RV, trailer, or tent. It also has a decent bathhouse (including showers), and a small shop where you can buy snacks and gear, including renting tanks by the day.
The one downside with Lake Phoenix is that it is not close to many amenities. The nearest town is Petersburg, which is about 45 minutes away. The nearest hotels (and there are only a few) are in Stony Creek, which is 35 minutes away.
The remote location of Lake Phoenix, though, is something that makes it extra special too!
Insider Tip: if you need a hotel near Lake Phoenix, I recommend staying at Sleep Inn & Suites Stony Creek or the Hampton Inn Stony Creek. And for dinner, stop by Los Compadres Mexican Restaurant for some excellent Mexican food!
Chesapeake Light Tower
If you’re looking for an open-water dive site, Virginia is also home to the Chesapeake Light Tower near Virginia Beach.
The light tower sits on a large helicopter deck about 13 miles east of Rudee Inlet. Over the years, it has been part of the U.S. Coast Guard and the Department of Energy.
This is a great place to see more marine life than you’re likely to find at Lake Phoenix. It’s especially noted for seeing spadefish and turtles. You can also find barracuda, flounder, and shellfish.
You can book dive trips to the Chesapeake Light Tower with Lynnhaven Dive Center and Chesapeake Bay Diving & Aquatic Center.
Dive Training and Certifications in Virginia
If you’re interested in getting a scuba certification in Virginia, you have a number of great options. I personally got certified with Aquatic Adventures in Springfield, VA, and they are fantastic!
They have a great group of highly qualified scuba instructors who are very patient and supportive throughout the training.
Aquatic Adventures offers PADI scuba certification, which is one of the main scuba certifications that you can get. The certification process is rigorous, with an online class, exam, and 3 to 4 days of practical experience in the water. If you are an experienced swimmer, I recommend the more accelerated hybrid course.
The class ends with a weekend at Lake Phoenix where you can practice and demonstrate your skills with instructors to earn your full certification. The lake is a great place to practice scuba diving because it has calm waters and is not very large.
There are other Virginia companies that offer scuba certification. In northern Virginia, some of the top-rated companies are Blue Octopus Scuba, Patriot Diving, Woodbridge Scuba, and Diventures.
Tips for Planning a Scuba Diving Trip in Virginia
Before you plan a scuba diving trip in Virginia, here are some important things to know.
When to Go
Because of the cooler weather in the fall and winter, it’s best to go scuba diving during the spring, summer, or early fall.
What to Bring
If you’re diving at Lake Phoenix, there is a dive shop on site where you can rent tanks and find other supplies. There are some snacks for sale, but you’ll probably want to bring your own food, particularly for lunch in the middle of the day.
I tend to bring bananas, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, walnuts, protein bars, lots of water, and electrolyte drinks to stay hydrated.
Other important things to bring include sunscreen and bug spray. I also bring a waterproof bag.
Where to Stay
Lake Phoenix
If you’re scuba diving at Lake Phoenix, you can bring an RV or go camping right at the lake itself.
There are also a few hotel options, though they’re about a 35-minute drive from Lake Phoenix. I stayed at the Sleep Inn & Suites Stony Creek. It was clean and had a good free buffet breakfast that helped fuel me early in the morning before the busy day of scuba diving.
There is also a Hampton Inn and a Fairfield Inn & Suites right next door.
If you do stay at one of these hotels, I highly recommend getting dinner at the nearby Los Compadres Mexican Restaurant. It’s just a few minutes away and serves excellent Mexican food.
Chesapeake Light Tower
The closest major city to the Chesapeake Light Tower is Virginia Beach, and there is no shortage of places to stay. Some top picks include Hilton Vacation Club Ocean Beach Club, Hyatt Place Virginia Beach Town Center, and Beach Quarters Resort.
Conclusion
As you can see, Virginia has some surprisingly excellent scuba diving destinations that are great for beginners and advanced divers alike.
Learn even more about my favorite outdoor activities in Virginia!
Learn about the best pools in Fairfax County
Dive into the ultimate Fairfax County Rec Center Guide
Learn all about Scott’s Run Nature Preserve
Explore Chris Green Lake Park in Charlottesville
