Your Guide to Diving Lake Hydra
Rick Harkins Aug 23, 2026
If you've been diving in the Northeast for more than a few years, you might know this lake by its old name: Dutch Springs. Same water, same wrecks, new ownership, and a new name. Lake Hydra is a flooded quarry in Bethlehem, PA that's become one of the go-to inland dive training sites in the region, and it's where we take divers on our own guided tours.
Here's what you should know before you book a trip.
A quick history
Dutch Springs opened as a dive site in 1980, after a limestone quarry flooded and became a lake. It ran for over 40 years before the property was sold and nearly closed for good. Local divers Ken Kraft and Jim Folk worked with the new owners to keep it open, and in 2024 it reopened under a new name: Lake Hydra.
Lake Hydra is veteran-owned and operated, and it gives complimentary access to first responders and search and recovery teams for their training needs.
Where it is and what it costs to get in
Lake Hydra sits at 4733 Hanoverville Road in Bethlehem, PA. It's about a two-hour drive from Harrisburg, which makes it a solid day trip or overnight for local divers.
Entrance passes are booked directly through lakehydra.com. If you're diving with us, use school code Getwet2026 when you book your pass, then contact our team to schedule your guided tour.
What's in the water
Lake Hydra is built for training and exploration, not just a swim-around. Here's what you'll find:
- Water temp runs around 70 degrees at the main training platform, which sits at 25 feet
- Submerged platforms down to 28 feet for skills practice
- Sunken wrecks scattered around the site for navigation and exploration
- Walk-in entry via a ramp and steps, so no boat needed
- An on-site fill station
The site draws scuba schools and dive teams from as far away as Florida, Texas, Ohio, and Maine, so you'll likely see other classes running drills nearby.
Hours
Lake Hydra's hours change seasonally, so always check lakehydra.com for the current schedule before you go. As of this writing, hours are:
- Monday - Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday - Friday: 9am - 4pm
- Saturday: 8am - 5pm
- Sunday: 8am - 4pm
Diving Lake Hydra with Get-N-Wet Scuba
We run guided tours of Lake Hydra for certified divers who want a professional along for the dive. Our guided tour includes one tank of 21% air, weights, and a Get-N-Wet Scuba certified dive professional guiding you through the site.
A few things worth knowing before you book:
- The Lake Hydra entrance fee is separate from our guided tour, and you'll need to book it directly with Lake Hydra
- Kit rental and dry suit rental are both available through us if you need gear
- You'll need a certification card, plus a few standard forms (diver medical, assumption of risk, and a couple others) completed before you dive
If you're a certified diver looking for a well-run inland site with real wrecks and training structure, Lake Hydra is worth the drive. Reach out to book your guided tour or give us a call at (833) PA DIVER with questions.
Sources: Scuba Diving Magazine, WFMZ Lehigh Valley News, lakehydra.com
