/Summersville Lake as been described as the Little Bahamas of the east.According to Skin Diver Magazine the waters at Summersville Lake are a moderate temperature somewhere between 60 and 70 degrees.The visibility of 20 to 30feet. The large under water rocks and rocky outcropping have attracted divers to this area for the last 30 years.When diving at Summersville Lake you will see a variety of local fish.You except to see bass, blue gill, sunfish ,musky and catfish.I have heard reports of feeding huge catfish bread by hand,but that was years ago.Still makes me wonder.If any are still patrolling the waters of Summersville Lake.
If you want to dive from the bank.There is not a lot of options.I only know of a few places the would be suitable for this purpose Summersville Lake,If you don’t have a boat you can visit Sarges dive shop near the marina.Just take Airport 
road.It’s the second left after leaving Summersville heading south.You will travel for 3 or 4 miles.At the top of the hill turn right.Signs are there.At Sarges dive shop can go out on one of their boats or rent a boat yourself at the Marina.It’s to the left of Sarge in the same parking area.Sarge’s boats usually run twice a day and once at night on the weekends. Checking with them is a good idea, somewhere around 9 in the morning. This will get you on the list for the first boat that goes out that day. Sarges will also take you swimming and snorkeling for the day at a reasonable rate.Sage’s dive shop will also rent you tanks
If you haven’t been Summersville Lake or this is first trip.Stop by Sarg’s go with them or just ask where to go and rent a boat yourself.You can always bring your own if you have one.Longpoint is a favorite spot it is already roped off with permanent markers for divers. The waters around longpoint at Summers Lake are around 70-80 feet, but at that depth the temperature drops fast.Remember the lake is feed by mountain streams.It is a great spot to spend the day.
Form sucbatoys foums:
There are two most often used dive sites. One is at the winter boat ramp, near the dam, this is the one most folks go to. There is one platform at about 25 feet west of the entry point in a small cove. This cove also has a small sunken boat, the Thomas Patrick, which is near the platform and in about 30-35′ of water. To the east, toward the dam there is a large rock that some of the shops use for a platform for students to do skills on. Beyond the cove is the winter boat ramp. It is in about 80′+ of water in the summer months and a fair dive.
The other dive site in beyond the camp ground and farther down the road. It has two small boats to dive on but most folks don’t do it because you have to carry your gear a little ways to get into the water as it is gated. But if you can catch one of the rangers there they will open it for you long enough to drive your gear to the water. Personally I don’t think the haul is that big of a deal myself.
Where to stay.For camping you have two choices.Mountain Manor campground or Battle Run Campground.Of the two Battle run is more popular(packed during the summer months),but is a excellent camping area with everything you need.You can read more on Battle Run Campground here.Your second choice is of coarse a hotel.Located in Summersville is no less than eight hotels.Prices start around $60.00 dollars a night and go up from there.The closest hotel to the lake is also the cheapest.A night there will only set you back $57.00 bucks.Read more on all of Summersville hotels here.
We hope you enjoy your trip,your dive and the time you spend here..be safe.
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