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HOW TO DIVE IT
Getting There
Located at 4733 Hanoverville Road in Bethlehem, Pa., Dutch Springs is open on
weekends from April through November and every day from Memorial Day through Labor
Day weekend. Check the schedule at
DutchSprings.com .Plenty of parking is available,
but it’s best to get there when the facility opens to get a good spot.
Conditions
Water temperatures can vary from low 40s (°F) in the spring and 50s (°F) on the bottom
to the 70s (°F) in the shallows in the summer. A thick 7 mm wetsuit with gloves and a
hood or a drysuit are recommended. Visibility can range from 15-60 feet depending on
the time of year, amount of rain and number of divers there.
Topside
The AquaPark is a favorite of families. Open Memorial Day through Labor Day, the park
has all kinds of aquatic toys to climb on, jump off of or slide from. The blob is the most
fun — I had to try it myself this summer, and I’ve never laughed so hard as I was
propelled into the air. Dutch Springs truly has something for everyone who enjoys being
on or under the water.
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ones that they’ve restored and guide anyone who is scuba certified in
donning a Mark V helmet or a more modern Kirby Morgan SuperLite 27.
It’s a unique experience conducted by a dedicated and fun group of people.
Divers come from all over the world during those two weekends just to
experience diving with a military or commercial diving helmet or vintage
scuba equipment as seen in movies.
Divers traveling from out of town can either camp at the quarry for an
additional fee or stay at one of several hotels in the area that give nightly
discounts to those diving at Dutch. On site is an air filling station, a large
concession building, clean bathrooms and showers. There are also grills and
pavilions available for private events, demonstrations or workshops.
The popularity of Dutch Springs is evident when you see the number
of people there on a typical weekend. There is a huge sense of community
among the divers who gather from all over the Northeast and beyond.
This once-active limestone quarry that produced the cement that built the
foundations of Bethlehem is now a place that builds the foundations of
friendships.
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