The Great Salt Lake is the Western Hemisphere’s largest salt water lake, and it’s definitely jaw-dropping, but almost no life exists in its waters. There is, however, a spot in the West Desert where you’ll find warm water just like the ocean where tropical fish thrive and you can snorkel or scuba to your heart’s content. If this seems impossible, check out Bonneville Seabase.
It’s not actually an ocean, but once you’re snorkeling or swimming at Bonneville Seabase, it sure feels like one. The warm springs here in the desert draw up through the ancient lakebed of Lake Bonneville and end up at a three percent salinity level - very similar to the ocean.
Nate Halvorson/Google
The company started as a place to offer scuba instruction, but it’s grown into much more. You’ll find four different bays here, each suited for people with different skill levels.
Bonneville Seabase/Facebook Bonneville Seabase is located near Grantsville. The address is 1600 N. SR 138, Grantsville, UT 84029.
These bays look more like desert lakes until you get into the water with your snorkel or scuba equipment. Then you’ll see something truly amazing…
Bonneville Seabase/Facebook
…tropical fish! It might sound crazy, but saltwater fish survive and actually thrive in these waters. You’ll find all kinds of species of fish, including angelfish, butterfly fish, porkfish, snappers, and even giant groupers. Some of the fish are “rescue” fish that owners could no longer care for. No longer trapped in fish tanks, these guys live in an ocean paradise in the desert now.
Bonneville Seabase/Facebook
Four different bays provide different environments for water-loving visitors of all skill levels.
Evan Meidel/Google Most of the fish thrive in White Water Bay, the warmest of the four bays. Habitat Bay provides an area to practice scuba diving at depths of 24 feet. The Trench is pretty shallow, and it’s been left natural, so there’s a lot of plant life there. It’s great for practicing swimming with fins. The Abyss is 64 feet deep (when you adjust for Utah’s altitude, it’s like diving at 84 feet).
Bonneville Seabase rents snorkel and scuba equipment if you don’t have your own, and they also team up with Neptune Divers, so if you want to learn how to dive, they’ll teach you.
Bonneville Seabase/Facebook Learn more about the classes Neptune Divers offers on its site here.
Even during winter months, the water here is pretty warm, and the visibility is great. No need to wait for spring to dive into this ocean!
Bonneville Seabase/Facebook Throughout the winter, Bonneville Seabase is open on Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.. If you have a group of six or more people, contact the company directly to ask about visiting during week at 435-884-3874.
Ready to pay Bonneville Seabase a visit? Check out its website for more details, and follow the company’s Facebook page to see what’s new.
Nate Halvorson/Google
Bonneville Seabase/Facebook
Bonneville Seabase is located near Grantsville. The address is 1600 N. SR 138, Grantsville, UT 84029.
Evan Meidel/Google
Most of the fish thrive in White Water Bay, the warmest of the four bays. Habitat Bay provides an area to practice scuba diving at depths of 24 feet. The Trench is pretty shallow, and it’s been left natural, so there’s a lot of plant life there. It’s great for practicing swimming with fins. The Abyss is 64 feet deep (when you adjust for Utah’s altitude, it’s like diving at 84 feet).
Learn more about the classes Neptune Divers offers on its site here.
Throughout the winter, Bonneville Seabase is open on Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.. If you have a group of six or more people, contact the company directly to ask about visiting during week at 435-884-3874.
The West Desert isn’t the only place you can find recreation fun. Check out what’s waiting for you in Utah’s Sevier Desert, too!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
