Bonne Terre Mine

Scuba Diving Site in Bonne Terre, MO

Bonne Terre Mine offers a unique scuba diving experience in Missouri’s historic submerged lead mine. Divers explore crystal-clear waters with over 100 feet of visibility, revealing towering rock pillars, mining artifacts, and guided dive trails for all skill levels.

With a constant water temperature of 58°F and impressive lighting illuminating stunning formations, the mine provides year-round diving. As one of the largest freshwater diving venues globally, it combines history, beauty, and adventure for an unforgettable experience.

Beneath the Surface

Bonne Terre Mine Sunken Carts

Sunken mining relics including carts, scaffolding, and tools.

Bonne Terre Mine is a treasure trove of preserved mining artifacts that tell the story of its rich history. Divers can encounter submerged mining carts once used to haul lead ore, scaffolding that stretches like skeletal bridges across the cavernous chambers, and tools frozen in time, offering a glimpse into the daily life of miners. These relics, preserved in the crystal-clear water, create an awe-inspiring underwater museum, blending industrial history with natural beauty for an unforgettable dive.

Bonne Terre Mine

Caverns and tunnels preserved from the mine’s operations.

Bonne Terre Mine’s caverns and tunnels, preserved from its mining days, form a sprawling underwater labyrinth waiting to be explored. These vast chambers and winding passageways showcase the intricate engineering of the mine’s operations, now transformed into a stunning dive destination. Illuminated by a state-of-the-art lighting system, the tunnels reveal their rugged beauty, offering divers a unique opportunity to navigate history beneath the surface.

Bonne Terre Mine

Geological formations such as stalactites and flowstone.

Bonne Terre Mine is home to remarkable geological formations, including stalactites that hang like natural chandeliers and smooth flowstone cascading along the walls. These formations, created over centuries, add a breathtaking natural element to the mine’s submerged world. Divers can marvel at their intricate beauty, making the experience as much about exploring nature’s artistry as it is about discovering history.

Dive Site Details

Bonne Terre Mine

Dive Site Features

  • Skill Level: Intermediate to advanced. Divers must be certified and comfortable with overhead environments.
  • Max Depth: 40-60 feet on average
  • Temp: Approximately 58°F year-round
  • Visibility: Consistently excellent, often exceeding 100 feet due to clear freshwater

Recommended Specialties

  • Deep Diving
  • Computer Diving
  • Nitrox

General Information

Website: Bonne Terre Mine Dive Resort

What prior travelers say

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“Australia to date is still one of my favorite trips. YOU set sail North on Mike Ball Liveaboards, diving the coral sea about 60 miles south of Papua New Guinea and I cannot ever remember seeing coral so healthy. The reefs were dense, healthy and teeming with life. I was also so lucky to be there during Green Sea Turtle nesting on Reign Island, from the liveaboard we could see thousands of turtles as far as the eye could see, and below the surface it was no different, I did not even know where to lay my eyes. This trip is and was a dream, I certainly hope to return to Australia sooner rather than later. 

– Megan O.

Traveler Photos

Traveler Photos