Lake Pontchartrain is a large brackish estuary in Louisiana, and its character as an estuarine body shapes every dive here. Tidal movement and weather can shift visibility and current conditions quickly, and the water is turbid at most sites, with visibility typically only a few metres. The lake is warm for much of the year, reaching its highest temperatures in mid-summer and cooling but staying mild through winter. Sites include submerged historical structures at Lincoln Beach, artificial reef riprap at Pontchartrain Beach, and the shallower sandy entry at Fontainebleau State Park. A large number of local operators serve the area, and shore entry is the standard access method.
Monthly water temperature across Lake Pontchartrain's sites, from satellite sea-surface data corrected for depth. The band shows the site-to-site spread.
Water stays warm for most of the year, peaking in mid-summer and remaining mild even in the coolest months, so a light wetsuit covers most conditions. Visibility is consistently low across sites and is strongly influenced by tidal movement, wind, and weather; calmer periods after settled conditions offer the best chance of improved clarity. Currents can be moderate to strong, particularly at deeper and more exposed sites.
11 operators
Water temperature around Lake Pontchartrain ranges from about 13°C in January to 31°C in August, based on satellite sea-temperature data for its dive sites.
In the warm season (about 31°C) a rash guard or 3mm shorty is comfortable in Lake Pontchartrain; in the coldest months (about 13°C) step up to a 7mm or semi-dry suit.
Fin maps 4 sites in Lake Pontchartrain (3 scuba diving sites and 1 snorkelling spots).
4 more sites to explore
