Landlocked New Mexico seems an unlikely place for stellar scuba diving, but you’d be surprised.
The Santa Rosa Blue Hole is New Mexico’s claim to scuba diving fame. The 24m deep Blue Hole is a former fish hatchery, transformed into a diving destination. Primarily, it is used in training activities, but that shouldn’t stop you from checking it out yourself, even if you are a highly experienced diver.
The manmade well is an algae-coated cylinder housing thousands of gallons of crystal clear water. Though there are no natural fish, they stock the well with goldfish, carp, and koi, making for a surreal view. Visibility can be in excess of 24 m. Aside from the Blue Hole, you can dive in the Navajo Reservoir - you are sure to see trout and other lake species here.
Diving in New Mexico can be enjoyed all year with water temperatures averaging in the lakes between 16/22°C62-72°F. a 5/7mm wetsuit is recommended with hood or a drysuit in the colder months.
Travelers can fly into Albuquerque International Airport (ABQ) or regional airports to get you where you need to go. Public transportation is rare unless you are in a major city, so renting a car is highly recommended.