 While
the landscape around Santa Rosa is more semi-arid ranch country
than desert, it's true! Santa Rosa is a scuba diving mecca.
There's the famous Blue Hole, a geological phenomenon. The natural,
bell-shaped pool is 80 feet deep and has astonishing clarity
and a constant water temperature of 64 degrees. There's even
a training platform at 20 and 25 feet.
A privately-run nearby dive store at Blue Hole supplies air tank refills and air tank rentals (bring certification card). You can buy a scuba diving permit at the Santa Rosa Visitor's Center weekdays 8 -5 or Saturday at Blue Hole. Application form is online @
www.santarosanm.org 575-472-3763 Another diving attraction is a twin-engine plane 55 feet down at the bottom of nearby Perch Lake.
BLUE HOLE FAST FACTS
- Diameter-80' at surface, 130' at bottom
- Depth-over 80'
- Temperature-constant 64°
- Visibility-80' when undisturbed
- Flow-3,000 gallons per minute; water recycles every
six hours
- Altitude-4,600' above sea level making the bottom
equivalent of over 100' of depth in the ocean
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