If you dive in Austin, sooner or later you dive Mansfield Dam Park. It is the most-used dive site on Lake Travis, and for good reason: shore entry, a marked underwater trail, and enough depth range to take a diver from an Open Water checkout dive all the way through Advanced and Deep training without ever changing sites.
Mansfield Dam Park: What to Expect
Mansfield Dam Park sits at 4370 Mansfield Dam Park Road, on the main body of Lake Travis, and doubles as a general recreation park (swimming cove, boat ramp, picnic areas) and a dedicated underwater dive park. Divers enter from shore — a walk down a set of stairs to the waterline — rather than by boat, which is part of why it is such a popular site for certification classes.
- Depth range: The lake bottom near the dam drops past 100 feet, but the marked dive trail includes four submerged platforms at shallower depths, so the same site works for a first Open Water checkout dive and for Advanced or Deep specialty training.
- Visibility: Typically 5–20 feet, depending on season, recent rain, and boat traffic — not tropical clarity, but real conditions that build skills that transfer well to clearer water elsewhere.
- What's down there: A marked underwater trail connects sunken boats, dam-construction relics from the 1930s and 40s, and other points of interest along the compass course.
- Entrance fee: Travis County charges a day-use fee (around $5 per person, less for seniors, free for kids under 12) — cash only at the entrance booth.
- Boat traffic: Lake Travis is a busy recreational lake. Always dive with a surface marker buoy and stay in the designated dive area away from the boat ramp and swim cove.
Mansfield Dam Park is also where Tom’s Open Water checkout dives happen for students who complete their training in Austin — by the time you are certified, you already know the site.
Scuba and Boating on Lake Travis with Tom’s Dive & Swim
Mansfield Dam is not the only way Tom’s gets divers into Lake Travis. A few times a year, we also run boat diving events on the lake — a different way to experience the same water.
Let's dive Lake Travis from some big boats. Yes, the party barges!
The party barges we use can each hold up to 50 guests. We bring our dive gear, food and beverages, and the boats provide the rest, including slides, jump platforms, BBQ grills, floats and more. Tom’s Dive & Swim currently offers two of these big boat scuba diving events on Lake Travis each year.
Come join us. It's a great time!
Over the last few years, Tom’s has used Just For Fun party barges for our Lake Travis boating events. The events are a lot of fun, and each boat comes with a captain and crew. Recently, we've also been using the grills to cook BBQ, burgers, hot dogs and sausages, along with sides and drinks. It adds to the great time being had by all.
We board the boats by 8:30 AM and listen to safety, site and dive briefings as we head to our dive site. Lately, we've been scuba diving at Starnes Island, which divers seem to like because of the goodies they can find from other party barge guests who drop things overboard. I found an Apple Watch once!
After diving, we eat and enjoy some play time. Everyone gets a chance to chill in the water, go swimming, slide down the big slide and even jump from the second deck.
Recent Lake Travis Boat Diving Events
Boats & BBQ, June 2025
One boat, 32 divers, BBQ and fixings. This event also included an SSI Boat Diving class, where two divers earned their Boat Diving certification.
Lake Travis Cleanup, September 2025
Two boats, 64 divers, hot dogs, sausages and fixings. This event was part of the annual Lake Travis Cleanup.
Boats, Bubbles & Burgers, July 2026
Two boats, 48 divers, burgers, hot dogs and fixings. This event was originally planned for one boat, but due to popular demand, we upgraded it to a two boat event. It also included an SSI Boat Diving class, where three divers earned their Boat Diving certification.
Lake Travis Cleanup, September 2026
Our next Lake Travis Cleanup is just around the corner, scheduled for Sunday, September 20, 2026. I've been attending meetings with the Colorado River Alliance, the organization behind the event. Tom’s is anticipating using two boats again and hosting upwards of 75 divers. It's sure to be a lot of fun, so be sure to look for a notice from Tom’s and join us! See details on the Lake Travis Cleanup event page.
Boat Diving Certification and More
Participating in one of our scuba and boating events on Lake Travis is a great opportunity to earn your SSI Boat Diving certification. It is generally offered with special event pricing, and you can complete the required lake dives as part of the event.
Just as importantly, you get involved with your dive shop, your dive club and your dive buddies while gaining the rewards and fulfillment that scuba diving has to offer.
Camaraderie and shared experiences
More diving experience
Going diving!
Lake Travis
Lake Travis is one of the Highland Lakes along the lower Colorado River and is managed by the Lower Colorado River Authority. It gives Central Texas scuba divers access to water year round. Divers can enter from shore at locations such as Mansfield Dam Park, or dive from a boat across the lake.
Whether diving from shore or boat, we Central Texans can literally be scuba diving within a short drive from home and from Tom’s Dive & Swim.
Tom’s Dive Club and the Austin Aquanauts
Our Lake Travis boat events are Tom’s Dive Club events, and everyone is welcome. The club has focused on bringing local divers together since 2013, with monthly socials as well as statewide diving opportunities. The Austin Aquanauts are the club's premium members. Paid membership includes continuing education discounts, service benefits, early event registration, exclusive deals and access to presale events at Tom’s Dive & Swim.
Fun Facts for Safety and Courtesy
Whether you are a scuba diver or a nondiver joining us for the day, what you do affects the safe and smooth operation of the event. These reminders also apply to many dive trips around the world.
Dock and Boat
Wait until the boat operator gives us the OK before entering the dock or boarding the boat.
Stow dive gear so walkways remain clear.
Diving
Bring a DSMB.
Bring a dive light.
Perform a buddy check before entering the water.
Complete a weight check with a designated dive professional when appropriate.
Plan a maximum dive time and maximum dive depth before the dive.
Dive safe. Dive often!
Gary Leach
Tom’s Dive & Swim