Bonneville Seabase - Diving Utah's Inland Ocean

What happens when you put a New England water obsessed scuba loving girl in a land locked state?She tries to improvise. And finds the water.  

Find me all the water. 

Before I even moved to Utah I did some ...... research on diving opportunities in Utah.  I was really surprised to find out that Utah had a ton of dive shops.  Turns out, it doesn't matter if there is water or not, but where there are active outdoorsy people, there are people who want to dive and therefore, dive shops. 

So during my research, I found a spot for scuba diving.  An "inland ocean" where you can find tropical fish int he middle of the ocean.

Let's head on over to the Bonneville SeaBase

It is literally in the middle of a desert.  You will see rock, you will see sand, you will think you are in the wrong spot and made a mistake.  But you didn't.  It is literally an "inland ocean" in the middle of the desert. 

Entrance to BSB.  It is the only thing in the area, look for these signs on the left and the dirt driveway

Bonneville Sea Base 

1600 NORTH SR 138 
Grantsville, UT 84029
(435) 884-3874

What is it? 

SNORKELING and SCUBA DIVING in Utah "Seabase is an in-land location for Utah diving and snorkeling. This geothermally heated, salt water, high altitude mini ocean with colorful tropical marine fish is the only one of its kind for SCUBA, snorkeling, and dive training. Whether you are feeding the beautiful French angel fish or the enthusiastic pork fish, you'll never believe you are in the middle of Utah. 

Bonneville Seabase is home to an abundant amount of marine life. From the tiny mollies to the 50-pound grouper, from the paper thin Lookdown Jacks to the stodge mullet, Seabase has fish of all shapes and sizes. During your exploring you can find a variety of Angel fish, Groupers, Grunts, Tangs, and Rabbit fish, butterfly fish, mullet, pork fish, monos, bannerfish,tiny bamboo sharks, hawkfish, snappers, spots, shrimp, tunicates and much more". 

For an extra $5 you can feed the fish (I HIGHLY recommend this!)  You can also bring some romaine from home for the fish to nibble on. 

Hours ?

Thursday and Friday - 9A-3P.

Saturday and Sunday - 8 A-3:30 P

Where?

To get to Seabase from Salt Lake City, go west on I-80, until exit 84, get off freeway, and turn left on frontage road, then left again (going away from the Great Salt Lake) on SR 138 (Do not cross any railroad tracks-if you do, you went too far) for 5 miles, then left again, into our driveway. 

How Much?

It is only $20 per day to come to Seabase for snorkeling or SCUBA, and rentals are available, if you don't have your own gear- click on the "rentals" button on top of this page for all rental prices....or $5 for just hanging around, watching the fish get fed, letting the mollies tickle your toes, and seeing the "water people" having fun.!

Temperature?

Winter: Average top: 65; and a bit warmer at the bottom. Spring: mid 70s. Summer: Average top 85; 90 bottom.

How deep? 

White Rocks Bay - 13 feet deep. You can safely dive here all day.

Habitat Bay - 24 feet at the deepest; altitude adjusted - 33 feet.

The Abyss - 62 feet deep, alt adj 84 feet.

Habitat Bay 

There is a ramp to get in and out of habitat bay (careful, its slippery!) There is also a tunnel connecting Habitat and White Rocks Bay.  I found the big old grouper hanging out in the tunnel.  You can set your feet in the water for a more natural pedicure, let the fish nibble on the dead skin on your feet!

White Rocks Bay Bonneville Sea Base

There is a cover over White Rocks Bay which makes for a nice easy and warm entry on a cold winter day.  There is a step ladder to get in and out of White Rocks Bay .  This is also where they feed the fish. 

White Rocks Bay Bonneville Sea Base

There are a series of platforms and ropes in Habitat Bay.  This makes it a great spot for classes, buoyancy practice and navigation. 

If you want to get some deeper diving in, you can get out of the water and head across to the Abyss.  This 62' deep pool (84' with altitude adjustment) is a great spot to practice deeper diving and safety spots.  I did not visit this part of the Seabase as I was alone and they ask that you do not dive this area alone.