About This Dive Site
Steam Boat Point on Yellowstone Lake's northern shore delivers an otherworldly scuba adventure amid seeping hot springs and underwater acoustics. Elevation hits 7,733 feet; depths reach 390 feet with shore or boat access. Water chills to 40 to 50 degrees F atop, but vents spike temperatures scalding nearby. Divers navigate minefield-like hot spring outflows, hearing echoing booms from escaping gases and swimming through vast fields of champagne bubbles. Visibility 10 to 30 feet peaks mid-summer. Respect NPS rules: no commercial guides, secure permits, practice Leave No Trace by not disturbing spires or silt.
Safety Considerations
Advanced divers only; pressurized vents cause sudden booms risking disorientation or mask floods. Thermal contrasts demand constant buddy checks to avoid burns. High altitude mandates DAN-approved tables, ascent rates under 30 feet per minute, safety stops at 10 feet. Narcosis heightens at depth with low viz. Onshore hazards include geothermal burns and bears; dive in groups. NPS warns against swallowing water due to pathogens; use nose clips. Monitor weather for lake squalls reducing viz to zero.
Essential Gear
Drysuit essential, pair with Fourth Element Xerotherm underlayer. High-altitude computer, twinsets for redundancy, pony bottles. Reel and guideline for vent fields, dive lights for bubble navigation. REI stresses insulated gloves, hoods, and dry bags for shore gear.