Smith Lake Park Swim Beach offers a sandy shore entry into a designated freshwater swimming area. The site is suitable for beginners, featuring a gentle slope and depths ranging from 1 to 5 metres, with an average of 2 metres. Visibility varies between 1 and 10 metres, and currents are generally mild. Snorkellers can observe the local freshwater habitat, which supports various temperate freshwater fish and aquatic vegetation. Facilities at the park include parking, toilets, showers, changing rooms, and a rinse station. Boat charters and guided tours are also available for those looking to explore further afield.

Blue Heron Bridge is a shore entry dive site in the United States offering depths ranging from surface level to 16 metres. The site is suitable for beginners and features mild currents. Divers should remain vigilant due to active boat traffic in the area. Conditions can vary, and divers should be prepared for cold water temperatures. On-site facilities include toilets and a cafe, making logistics straightforward for visitors. As this is an active area near the bridge, careful planning of entry and exit points is essential to avoid boat traffic.

Castle Rock is a freshwater drop-off site featuring a massive rock formation that descends vertically into the depths of Smith Lake. The underwater topography is rugged, characterised by large boulders and crevices. Divers should be prepared for depths ranging from 10 to 45 metres, with an average depth of 25 metres. A thermocline is present between 30 and 40 feet, where temperatures drop from the mid-60s to the high 50s Fahrenheit. Access is by boat only. Due to the depth, cold water, potential for entanglement, and low visibility of 1 to 5 metres, this site is suitable for advanced divers. A cafe is available at the site for post-dive refreshments.

Illusion Rock, located in the Rock Creek arm of Smith Lake, is a freshwater site defined by its underwater rock shelves and cave-like overhangs. Divers can expect depths ranging from 5 to 15 metres, with an average depth of 10 metres. Access to the site is by boat only. Visibility typically varies between 5 and 15 metres. Divers should be prepared for cold water conditions and a distinct thermocline occurring between 9 and 12 metres, where temperatures drop from the mid-60s to the high 50s Fahrenheit. The site is suitable for intermediate divers and offers a quiet environment away from main lake traffic. Entanglement is a noted hazard at this location.

Party Island, located in Dismal Creek, features shallow sandy flats that provide a straightforward environment for snorkellers. Situated 500 metres from the shore, the site requires boat access and is suitable for beginners. Depths typically range from 1 to 5 metres, with an average of 3 metres. Visibility varies between 5 and 15 metres. Divers and snorkellers should be aware of potential hazards including boat traffic, entanglement risks, and thermoclines. Smith Lake experiences significant temperature fluctuations, with surface waters reaching 27 to 32 degrees Celsius in summer and dropping to 4 to 11 degrees Celsius during winter months.

Clear Creek Recreation Area Swim Beach, located within the Bankhead National Forest, offers freshwater diving and snorkelling with visibility ranging from 5 to 15 metres. The site features natural rock formations along the shoreline and submerged timber in deeper sections. Divers and snorkellers can expect depths between 1 and 4 metres, with an average depth of 2 metres. Access is via a shore entry. The site is suitable for beginners, though users should remain aware of potential boat traffic and entanglement hazards. Facilities available on-site include parking, toilets, showers, changing rooms, a rinse station, a cafe, first aid, a dive shop, boat charters, and guided tours.