San Solomon Springs
Zane Bennett Feb 05, 2024
A popular adage says that things are always bigger and better in Texas, so it should come as no surprise that we have one of the world’s largest spring-fed swimming pools, a 1.75-acre oasis nestled deep in the heart of West Texas. It’s also probably the best freshwater dive in the state. Plunge into a wonderland of temperate, crystal-clear water teeming with diverse species of vegetation and fish, and springs that bubble forth some 20 million gallons of water every day.
- The pool, which also accommodates snorkelers and swimmers, offers a controlled environment, exceptional visibility and abundant aquatic life, making it a premier site for open-water certification, night dives and underwater photography. If you’re lucky, you may see a myriad of colorful Mexican tetras, as well as catfish, perch, crayfish, softshell turtles and the endangered Comanche Springs pupfish and Pecos gambusia.
Location: Balmorhea State Park, four miles west of Balmorhea, on Texas Highway 17 in Toyahvale- Depth: 3 – 25 feet
- Visibility: 40 – 80 feet
- Temperature: 72 – 76 degrees (year-round)
- Fees/Admission: $3/per person; night diving for an additional fee
- Outfitter: Contact Toyahvale Desert Oasis Scuba (next door) at oasis@overland.net or (915) 375-2572 for rental rates and current diving regulations.
- Helpful Hint: Gear must be carried a fair distance from the parking area to the pool. A dolly, which can be rented at the dive shop, or other easy-tote device, is advised for equipment and tanks.
