In a state known for its bluegrass, Kentucky is becoming known to southern scuba divers as the blue-water state. Thanks to Dive Cerulean in southwestern Kentucky, the Bluegrass State also features an innovative diving and dive training site.

Dive Cerulean is the successful operator for this water-filled rock quarry, which was abandoned in 1952 and brought back to life as an underwater playground. Located in picturesque Trigg County, Dive Cerulean features 16 acres of crystal-clear spring water and a great staff, which makes Kentucky diving and training an enjoyable experience.

Owned and operated by David and Cindy Westerfield, Dive Cerulean has become a busy southeast training site. "We are popular with dive shops and instructors because of our perfect training conditions," says David. Though they don’t run training programs at Dive Cerulean, many dive shop operators and instructors bring their students to Dive Cerulean to complete open-water checkout dives for a wide variety of certification courses.

On any given weekend, the Westerfields host divers and dive shops from Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Tennessee and Missouri. A typical diving day may include students and divers from St. Louis’ Waikiki Dive Shop; the Louisville Dive Shop; divers from Depth Finders, an Oak Grove, Kentucky-based dive club; or many other shops, classes and instructors from the area.

With a maximum depth of 35 feet/11 meters, the site is ideal for students and beginners, while still featuring much underwater interest for more experienced divers. From lots of fish to unusual rock formations to old boats, cars and mining equipment, Dive Cerulean is Kentucky diving at its best.

Visibility at the quarry typically ranges from 10 to 50 feet/3 to 15 meters, with an average of 30 feet/9 meters. Water temperatures at the surface often reach 80 degrees F/26 degrees C in the summer, with a 10 degrees F/3 degrees C drop felt near the bottom of the quarry.

Divers enter the water by a walk-in entry or a giant stride entry from a dock. Nearby, there’s an underwater training platform at 18 feet/6 meters and an old Chevrolet Impala at 20 feet/7 meters (the base of the wall). Two other platforms, which are used for skill reviews and navigation staging areas, are located in just 20 feet/7 meters of water right offshore.

Other items of interest in the quarry include a cabin cruiser wreck, building walls, an old pickup truck, a Cadillac, an iron boiler, rock crushers, conveyors and other equipment. Marine life includes lots of bass, bluegill, catfish, crayfish and a wide variety of prolific underwater plant life. Easy walk-out exits bring divers back to reality.

Dive Cerulean is typically open from May 1st to Oct. 31st on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is also open on Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day. Weekday in-season diving and cold-water diving is possible with advance coordination.

A $10-per-diver-per-day admission is charged, and a certification card is required to enter unless you are part of a training class or session. Certified instructors and children under the age of six are admitted free. For moderately priced tank fills, Dive Cerulean recently installed a top-of-the-line compressor with electronically monitored air quality.

One of the best things about Dive Cerulean is that it is a dive-specific resort. They do not allow any fishing or swimmers, so divers and training classes have the entire 16 acres to themselves. Nondiving guests are allowed and they pay only $5, but they must enter with divers.

Dive Cerulean’s rules and regulations prevent spearfishing and do not allow alcoholic beverages. (It’s a dry county.) Divers have to use buoyancy compensators (BCs), pressure and depth gauges, must dive with a buddy and are encouraged to have an alternate air source. Westerfield says, "If you forget your c-card, you will not be allowed to dive." Of course, this doesn’t apply to members of classes getting certified.

On Saturday, Aug. 13th, Dive Cerulean will host a Divers Alert Network (DAN) Member Day. Divers Alert Network members will receive half-price admission (Westerfield encourages divers to use the savings to renew their DAN membership) and there will also be a gear auction, drawings and other activities.

This past spring, the Westerfields also went deep. They purchased an 8-acre quarry in Lebanon, Tenn. It’s 160 feet/49 meters deep and dives are currently scheduled for advanced divers. Plans are also in place for platforms at 65-70 feet/20-22 meters for advanced students.

Back at Dive Cerulean, the area around the quarry features quaint Kentucky countryside. Inexpensive camping (including picnic tables and campfires) is available right at Dive Cerulean, while other accommodations, dining and more are available at nearby towns like the historic Cadiz.