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Balmorhea State Park

Dive into the crystal-clear waters of the world's largest spring-fed swimming pool located in an arid West Texas historic park. Whether you prefer swimming, scuba diving, or simply relaxing under the shade of the surrounding trees, this destination offers an unforgettable experience. Balmorhea State Park, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, continues to be a popular spot for cooling off and enjoying various water activities.

Please note that the entire park will be closed for repairs and septic system installation starting September 3, 2019. The projected reopening date is set for March 2020. We apologize for any inconvenience caused during this period.

For scuba divers, both certified individuals and students accompanied by instructors, it is important to exit the pool area before the gate is locked at 7:30 p.m. or sunset, whichever comes first. All scuba divers are required to pay a $5 dive fee. Additionally, diving must be conducted on the buddy system, with a minimum of two certified divers required per dive. Before entering the water at San Solomon Springs, all individual divers must present their certification cards ("C" Cards) or up-to-date logbooks and sign a Diving Agreement. Sign-ins can only be done during regular office hours, which may vary with the season, so please call (432) 375-2370 for the current office hours.

To ensure safety and adherence to regulations, only certified instructors are permitted to conduct dive classes at the park. Proof of certification and liability insurance must be provided, with a copy of the instructor's liability insurance on file at the park office prior to the class. A maximum ratio of one certified instructor to eight students is allowed in the water. It is important to respect the aquatic life and natural areas of the spring by refraining from molesting, catching, or handling fish, turtles, or other creatures. Additionally, rocks and other natural elements should not be disturbed or moved.

Please note that spear guns, knives, and fishing gear are strictly prohibited in the pool and pool area. All divers must ensure their equipment is properly inspected and maintained. Air compressors used must adhere to recommended EPA/OSHA noise levels, with no operation allowed between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Furthermore, compressors are not permitted in the parking area at San Solomon Springs Court or in the camping area at any time. Surface air pumps are also not allowed in the pool. It is crucial to strictly adhere to all Texas Parks & Wildlife Rules and Regulations, copies of which are available at the park office. Instructors and group leaders are responsible for familiarizing their participants with these rules.

With a visibility of 14m and a maximum depth of 7m, Balmorhea State Park provides a remarkable dive experience suitable for divers of all levels, including beginners, advanced, and experts. Plan your dive at this outstanding dive site in the United States, conveniently located in PR 30, Toyahvale, Reeves County, Texas, 79786.

Diving Conditions Score for Balmorhea State Park

5
Average

Average conditions, be alert.
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.

Dive Site Overview for Balmorhea State Park

Depth

7m

Visibility

14m

Experience Level

beginner
advanced
expert

Weather Conditions for Balmorhea State Park

Wave Height

1m

Wind Speed

28.9 m/s

Water Temp

18°C

Visibility

88.5km

Cloud Cover

0%

Wave Period

8s

Air Temperature

35°C

Precipitation

0 mm

Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for Balmorhea State Park
Alpha

Dive Score Chart for Balmorhea State Park

Best time to dive: 6:00 with score 6.673333333333333/10. Water conditions: Waves 1m, Wind 19.9 m/s.Best night dive time: 1:00 with score 6.433333333333333/10.

Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.

Sunrise at Balmorhea State Park: 06:00
Sunset at Balmorhea State Park: 18:00

Optimal diving conditions at Balmorhea State Park are affected by daylight hours. Sunrise occurs at 06:00 and sunset at 18:00, which impacts visibility and water temperature for scuba diving and snorkeling.

🌞
Best Overall
6:00

Score: 6.7/10
Waves: 1m (8s), Wind: 19.9 m/s

🌙
Best Night
1:00

Score: 6.4/10
Waves: 1m, Wind: 7.4 m/s

Seasonal Analysis for Balmorhea State Park
Alpha

Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at Balmorhea State Park

The dive score combines all factors to rate overall diving conditions throughout the year. Higher scores indicate better diving conditions.

Monthly Dive Score Analysis - Seasonal Diving Conditions

Higher values indicate better diving conditions

Seasonal DiveScore Chart

This chart displays monthly diveScore data throughout the year, showing seasonal patterns. The data is presented as a bar chart with an overlaid line graph.Dive scores range from 1 to 10, with 10 being optimal conditions.

Higher values indicate better diving conditions

Best Season for Balmorhea State Park

Winter

Avg. Score: 8.8/10

Winter offers the best overall diving conditions with calmer seas and better visibility, despite cooler temperatures.

Best Months for Balmorhea State Park

January
Score: 8.9
December
Score: 8.9
February
Score: 8.7

Ideal Conditions for Balmorhea State Park

Water Temp

Thermometer Emoji

26.6°C / 79.9°F

August

Visibility

Telescope Emoji

15.0m / 49.2ft

December

Wave Height

Wave Emoji

1.1m / 3.6ft

December

Wave Period

Wave Emoji

8.0s

January

Seasonal Insights for Balmorhea State Park

Balmorhea State Park shows typical northern hemisphere patterns with July being the warmest month (31.1°C) and January the coldest (5.1°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in December with average wave heights of 1.1m and wave periods of 8.0s. The most comfortable wave conditions are in December with a low wave steepness ratio, creating gentler swells. January offers the longest wave periods (8.0s), creating more comfortable and predictable conditions for boat entries and exits. Ocean currents are slowest in January (0.5m/s) and strongest in January (0.5m/s). January is usually the driest month with 0.0mm of precipitation. For beginners, the best time to visit would be during December to February, when ocean conditions are calmer with long-period waves and currents are typically weaker. Experienced divers might enjoy the challenges and potentially better visibility during the shoulder seasons, with moderate currents that can improve marine life encounters.

Scoring Legend:
9-10 (Excellent)
7-8 (Good)
5-6 (Average)
3-4 (Poor)
1-2 (Dangerous)

Last updated: 1 min. ago - Jun 22, 2026

Note: This dive site is not a verified dive site. Please dive with caution. This dive site might have incorrect information by the community.

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