Last year, my partner and I decided to venture down to the U.S. Virgin Islands for a lovely, much-needed spring vacation. As a nature lover, I was excited to explore the shores and snap beautiful photos along the islands in a blissful, stress-free setting.
The previous year, my partner had gone on a discovery dive with certified master scuba divers, and he asked me if I was interested in exploring below the sea with him. My initial, visceral reaction was trepidation — about sharks, stingrays, and nitrogen narcosis. But then I figured I could live out my childhood mermaid fantasy, so I decided to set my fears aside and go for it. After boating through a channel of islands (including Epstein Island) and meeting some interesting characters, we geared up and dove under. I was hooked within five minutes. When we returned home, we decided to get scuba-certified.
But where does one get scuba-certified in Pittsburgh? Though we’re surrounded by water, it’s not exactly tempting to think about diving into the Mon. However, that’s (thankfully) not the case. For people seeking scuba training in Pittsburgh, there are many options. We signed up for a program based in Allison Park, completed our skills tests in a local pool, and then ventured up to Crusty’s Quarry in Volant, Pa., just three miles from Grove City, for our open-water testing.
Crusty’s Quarry is a scuba training and recreational diving facility that’s been operating for over 40 years. The quarry encompasses about 10 acres and has a maximum depth of 45 ft. Though it’s freshwater, the visibility is fairly clear (10-30 ft.), perfect for spotting all of their underwater attractions including a sunken Piper Tomahawk plane, a station wagon, a bus, and a cute “Pirates Cove.” It’s also perfect for spotting underwater wildlife.
If you’re a fisherman in Pa., you already know about the array of colorful trout and bass that live in our lakes and streams, not to mention bluegills, sunfish, and several species of turtles — all of which were plentiful at Crusty’s Quarry. On the surface, we noticed plenty of deer, butterflies, dragonflies, and birds. But what surprised me was the abundance of strange underwater life beneath the surface, specifically freshwater sponges and jellyfish.
The freshwater jellyfish at Crusty’s Quarry grow to about the size of a quarter, and they do not sting. Crusty’s Quarry is one of just a few bodies of water in Pa. where these tiny freshwater jellyfish thrive. Divers can spot them in the early fall as the water temps begin to cool off. These unique creatures, along with the attractions, the convenient changing rooms and facilities, and the training implements, are a huge draw for divers. But Crusty’s also hosts fun events.
The day we arrived for our open water training, the parking lot was packed with divers. It happened to be the day of their underwater pumpkin carving contest and barbeque. As my partner and I were signing our release forms, two local Volant divers, Josh and his nephew Joe, were carrying their jack-o-lanterns into the office to show them off. Another diver, Maggie Skultety of Ohio, proudly displayed her Spongebob-themed pumpkin along with some accessories she brought from home.
This hidden treasure near Pittsburgh is a wonderful facility for beginner divers. Scott’s Scuba Service in Freeport, Pa. utilizes Crusty’s Quarry for open-water training, as do a handful of other scuba training services in and around Pittsburgh. For divers who are already certified, this is a great place to check out for its cozy charm, unique wildlife, and friendly people.
This article appears in Oct 9-15, 2024.
