View of the quarry, white are platform locations, red are things to see
1 / 2

Mermet Springs

4.9
·176 reviews·Belknap, United States

Dive into a unique freshwater quarry filled with sunken treasures, marine life, and underwater music.

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

July & August mornings

Warmest water, best for families

CrowdMedium
Loading map...
View of the quarry, white are platform locations, red are things to see

Mermet Springs

Best Time

July & August mornings

Warmest water, best for families

CrowdMedium

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Dive into a unique freshwater quarry filled with sunken treasures, marine life, and underwater music.

4.9
(176 reviews)

"Beautiful hidden body of water in the woods! Lots to see underwater."

Vertical photo
TIP

🎯 Dry Suit Recommended for Cold

Consider a dry suit for November dives; it gets too cold otherwise! :cold_face:

🎶 Underwater Music Experience

Enjoy the unique ambiance of music played underwater during your dive. :musical_note:

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.9 · 176 reviews

Type

Sports Activity Location

♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Sunken Attractions

Sunken Attractions

Quarry Floor

Explore a school bus, airplanes, boats, and even an underwater motorcycle. A diver's playground!

Freshwater Jellyfish

Freshwater Jellyfish

Various Depths

Witness the rare Craspedacusta sowerbyi, a harmless freshwater jellyfish species.

Instagram+1
Paddlefish Encounters

Paddlefish Encounters

Deeper Sections

Observe these unique fish in their natural habitat, often found at surprising depths.

TikTok
Underwater Music

Underwater Music

Throughout the Quarry

Experience the unique ambiance of music played underwater for divers.

Reddit
Your AI travel agent

Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you

Start Chatting

Planning Your Visit

Dive into Mermet Springs

Mermet Springs offers a unique freshwater diving experience with sunken attractions and abundant marine life. Plan your visit during warmer months for comfortable diving conditions and to maximize your chances of seeing unique species like freshwater jellyfish. Book dive guides in advance, especially during peak season, to ensure a buddy and a guided exploration of the quarry's wonders. Reddit

Prepare for Underwater Adventures

While Mermet Springs is a fantastic dive spot, be prepared for cooler water temperatures, especially outside of summer. Consider a dry suit for November dives, as advised by locals. Reddit The facility is clean and staff are friendly, but note that RV camping on-site lacks water hookups. Reddit Embrace the adventure, whether it's your first dive or a specialized certification. Instagram

Best Times

When
July & August mornings
Why
Warmest water, best for families
Crowd
Medium
When
Warm weather afternoons
Why
Ideal for try scuba classes
Crowd
Medium
When
Late November
Why
For the cold water challenge
Crowd
Low

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Mermet springs delivered this spring. We had plans to go down to the Florida keys however weather decided otherwise. So southern Illinois was the next best thing. The paddle fish here at Mermet springs were totally unreal. It was so cool to see their natural feeding behavior and down at 60ft too! One of the last things I expected to see down that deep were not one but 2 paddle fish feeding. Such a...
divemaster_zach
31 likes • 793 views

🎯 Dry Suit Recommended for Cold

Consider a dry suit for November dives; it gets too cold otherwise! Reddit :cold_face:

🎶 Underwater Music Experience

Enjoy the unique ambiance of music played underwater during your dive. Reddit :musical_note:

Student (Scuba) Steve learning the art of underwater motorcycles maintenance with Instructor Jim at Mermet Springs! We like to have fun! Come dive with us!! #mermetsprings #scuba #borntobewild #motorcycle #motorcylelife #bikelife #steppenwolf #scubadiving #divemore #diving
diverightinscuba
231 likes • 3.3K views
On a quest to learn more about freshwater marine life! What did we see diving at Mermet Springs? Largemouth bass, rare freshwater jellyfish and paddlefish! Sometimes, freshwater diving can be just as fun as salt water diving. Sometimes! Video @naturewithnatalielynn #ocean #freshwater #freshwatertank #jellyfish #conservation #education #explorersclub
greendolphinproject
0 likes • 133 views

🐠 Feed the Fish!

Bring some fish food to interact with the local marine life during your dive. 🐟

🚗 Easy Road Trip Stop

A beautiful hidden spot in the woods, perfect for a road trip break. 🚗

The only freshwater jellyfish species across North America, the Craspedacusta Sowerbyi. 📸 Mermet Springs . . . #scubadiving #diving #scuba #underwater #underwaterphotography #padi #ocean #dive #scubadiver #uwphotography #underwaterworld #scubadive #sea #travel #photography #nature #marinelife #diver #scubalife #buceo #underwaterphoto #underwaterlife #uwphoto #paditv #sealife #tauchen #divinglife ...
diver.drake
417 likes • 7.7K views

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Dry Suit Recommended for Cold

Consider a dry suit for November dives; it gets too cold otherwise! Reddit :cold_face:

🎶 Underwater Music Experience

Enjoy the unique ambiance of music played underwater during your dive. Reddit :musical_note:

🐠 Feed the Fish!

Bring some fish food to interact with the local marine life during your dive. 🐟

🚗 Easy Road Trip Stop

A beautiful hidden spot in the woods, perfect for a road trip break. 🚗

🤝 Dive Guides Available

If you don't have a buddy, take advantage of knowledgeable dive guides. :diver:

🎃 Halloween Pumpkin Carving

Join the annual underwater pumpkin carving contest for a spooky good time! Instagram :jackolantern:

What Travellers Say

4.9
(176 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors rave about Mermet Springs for its unique freshwater diving experience, abundant sunken attractions, and friendly staff. The opportunity to see freshwater jellyfish and paddlefish, along with the novelty of underwater music, are frequently highlighted positives. Some visitors note the cold water temperatures outside of summer, emphasizing the need for appropriate gear.

"Took a break in the middle of a road trip for a dive. Beautiful hidden body of water in the woods! Lots to see underwater. The facility is very nice and the staff very friendly. Didn’t have a dive buddy so I took advantage of one of their dive guides. Alyson was extremely knowledgeable about the spring and its attractions and an excellent dive master. Next time I’m in the area I will definitely make time for another jump in."

William Vaughn

"Need a dry suit lol! Too cold for me! But, an awesome place to visit. Everything was clean and the staff was friendly! I had a great time today."

William Baynes

"We take a group trip each year in the July/August timeframe. This year we went to Mermet Springs. Super friendly staff and clean facilities. The diving was great for my kids and me. Lots of fun things for them to do in the water. We've already decided we will be coming back next year."

Barton Perrier

What People Like

Unique freshwater diving
Abundant sunken attractions
Friendly and knowledgeable staff

What People Dislike

Cold water in off-season

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Mermet Springs is located in southern Illinois and is accessible by car. It's often described as a beautiful hidden body of water in the woods, making it a great stop during a road trip. Reddit

Yes, Mermet Springs offers RV camping with nice level spots. However, be aware that there are no water hookups available on the property. Reddit

Mermet Springs is a popular destination for day trips and road trip breaks. Driving is the most convenient way to access the site. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

While specific admission fees aren't detailed in the provided content, reviews suggest a positive experience with friendly staff and clean facilities, implying a reasonable entry cost for the activities offered. Reddit

It's highly recommended to book dive guides in advance, especially if you don't have a dive buddy or are visiting during peak season, to ensure availability and a guided exploration. Reddit

Mermet Springs hosts unique events like the annual underwater pumpkin carving contest around Halloween, offering a fun and festive diving experience. Instagram

Operating hours are not explicitly stated, but reviews indicate group trips occur in July/August and dives are possible in November, suggesting seasonal operations. It's best to check their official channels for current hours. Reddit

Yes, Mermet Springs offers 'Try Scuba' classes, which are great for beginners or those wanting to experience diving for the first time in a safe and controlled environment. InstagramReddit

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

You can encounter largemouth bass, paddlefish, and the rare freshwater jellyfish (Craspedacusta sowerbyi). TikTokInstagram+2 Divers also report feeding fish. Reddit

Mermet Springs features a variety of sunken attractions including a school bus, airplanes, boats, and even an underwater motorcycle, making it an exciting dive site. Instagram+1

Absolutely! Mermet Springs is a popular spot for certified divers looking for unique freshwater diving experiences, including advanced certifications like dry suit. Reddit

Yes, diving is possible in colder months like November, but it's strongly advised to use a dry suit due to the low water temperatures. Reddit

Water temperatures vary seasonally. While summer months offer warmer conditions suitable for families, November dives can be quite cold, necessitating appropriate gear like a dry suit. Reddit

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

The provided information focuses on the diving experience and facilities, with no specific details on on-site dining options. Visitors may need to bring their own food or plan for meals outside the facility. Reddit

While not explicitly stated, it's common for outdoor recreational facilities to allow visitors to bring their own food. Clean pavilions are mentioned, suggesting areas for picnicking. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

Capture unique shots of the sunken attractions like the school bus and planes, as well as the delicate freshwater jellyfish. Underwater photography enthusiasts will find plenty of subjects. Instagram+2

Yes, the clear waters and diverse underwater features make Mermet Springs an excellent location for underwater photography, offering a unique freshwater perspective. Instagram

Absolutely! Many visitors capture their dives, documenting the marine life and sunken artifacts. Ensure your camera is waterproof and suitable for underwater use. Instagram

You may also like

1 of 2
Mermet Springs (2026) – Best of TikTok, Instagram & Reddit Travel Guide