Lake Tahoe, Sand Harbor State Park, Nevada

On the east side of Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada Mountains is Sand Harbor, a popular recreational site that includes an area set aside for divers. "Diver’s Cove" is part of Sand Harbor State Park and is a popular dive site for open-water classes. Expect large crowds especially on the weekends during the summer. Local dive stores have helpful information about diving the high-altitude site. If you’re there in July and August, check out the Shakespeare at Sand Harbor Festival staged nearby.

Depths to: Hundreds of feet but in Sandy Harbor the depths average 30 feet (9 m).

Visibility: 50-60 feet (15-18 m)

Water temperature: A maximum of 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius) at the surface with a number of clearly defined thermoclines dropping to about 42 F (6 C) at 100 feet (30 m). A wet suit with a hood is recommended for summer diving. A dry suit is recommended for winter diving.

Marine life: An occasional trout, and some crawdads and minnows. Large rocks are abundant. Farther out, a challenging slope for more skilled divers includes vertical cliffs and large sunken trees.

Fees: $6 entrance fee from May 1 to September 30; $3 from October 1 to April 30. Violators are issued hefty fines by park rangers. Boat launching fees start at $15.

On-site amenities: Many picnic tables, plenty of parking during the summer, and restrooms. There are two public telephones at this site, one at the south end of the beach and the other at the boat launching facility. In case of emergency, a telephone inside the ranger’s office at the entrance can be used.

More info: Call the park at (775) 831-0494.

Open: Usual diving season is from late May until middle of September. Diving is done during the winter months, but temperatures of the air and the lake are very cold.

Getting there: Drive 5 miles south of Incline Village, Nevada, on Highway 28, to Sand Harbor State Park.