The state of Tennessee offers a whole lot more than great music, superb food, and plenty of cultural events throughout the year; it's home to some outstanding dive sites, as well. Here, we'll take a look at two of the best quarries in the state: Martha's Quarry, and Philadelphia Quarry. Offering a little something for everyone, these two sites have enough sunken attractions to keep any diver busy for days on end.
Martha's Quarry - Tennessee Dive Sites
Located in Lebanon, Tennessee, Martha's Quarry has been a well-known dive site popular with visitors from all over the state for many years now, and is only getting better as time goes by. Offering a number of training platforms, plus the remains of the original quarry operation, including a four story rock crusher house, a three story "shaker" house, and pump houses, in addition to a sunken forest and a number of other attractions including an underwater kitchen, this is a popular site for training and recreational diving alike.
Maximum depth is 60 feet, and visibility is very good at 30-40 feet most of the time. Water temperatures vary seasonally, sometimes reaching as much as 88 degrees Fahrenheit in mid-summer. There are plenty of fish waiting to greet you here, and there are nice on site amenities, including a dive center with air fills, concessions, and changing areas. There is a fee to dive, and the quarry is normally open between April and September annually.
Philadelphia Quarry - Tennessee Dive Sites
A fantastic quarry located off interstate 75, between Chattanooga and Knoxville, Philadelphia Quarry covers 3 acres and is fed by crystal clear freshwater springs. Offering excellent visibility that is much better than what you would normally find at a quarry, it is open year round, both day and night. If you visit when the gates are closed, all you have to do is deposit your entry fee and call the phone number posted for the lock combination.
Philadelphia Quarry features a shallow entry area that is graveled to maintain visibility, plus it offers four training platforms located at depths of 17 feet, 25 feet, and 75 feet, as well as a peak performance buoyancy course. Diver training is available as scheduled by the scuba shop or by appointment, and local dive shops also bring classes here to work on skills.
Onsite amenities include tank holders for lift classes and picnic tables near the water, plus changing rooms; there are bathrooms on site, but they are closed from November through February. Camping is available by request. Philadelphia Quarry operates on an honor system - everyone needs to sign a release, which is available for download on the quarry's website. In addition, while non-divers are allowed to visit, they must be accompanied by a diver and they will need to pay a small fee. The quarry is cold, so be sure you wear a hood and gloves if you plan to go deep.
Offering an abundance of features and plenty to see and do topside between dives, Tennessee is full of surprises. Don't forget to check out the state's lakes in addition to the quarries; you'll be pleasantly surprised.