Rescue A Saltwater Oasis Right Here in Utah

"It's your turn to plan our family reunion this year." It was the beginning of our quest to find something different to surprise my wife's adventurous family. They had all recently become certified to scuba dive, and the adults had gone on an exotic diving trip in Mexico. We had the idea of doing a low-key diving trip inland so the kids could join us and we could save money.

Utah isn’t exactly the first place that comes to mind when you think of scuba diving, right? I mean, with its red rock canyons, snowy peaks, and dry desert landscapes, it’s hardly a tropical getaway. Most people head to places like Hawaii or the Caribbean when they want to explore vibrant coral reefs and colorful marine life. But what if I told you that we found a spot right here in the heart of the Utah desert, and that we dove with actual, living sea creatures?

We found a spot called Bonneville Seabase, a surprising little pocket of ocean nestled in the salty flats of Tooele, Utah. Seabase offered an experience that felt like a weird dream—a salty oasis where tropical fish thrive, and divers can explore under the surface without the need for a passport.

Bonneville Seabase is a geothermal spring-fed pond with saltwater, which is, naturally, where the magic happens. The springs feed in minerals and salts that make the water habitat-friendly for marine life. Over the years, they’ve introduced various tropical fish, like angelfish, puffers, and they even had nurse sharks.

We had a great time and they catered to the kids who wanted to snorkel, visibility was low which was a shame as the proprietors explained that since the area had gone from irrigation to sprinklers their water got more foggy.

Read More: See the Plane On the Bottom of This Utah Reservoir

Sadly, my research showed that they have had to temporarily close the dive experience, but you can still camp there. Give them a call, and maybe you can get them to reopen the dive experience or get tips on how we can help restore this surreal inland diving experience.