185 Park Avenue
Bonne Terre
Missouri
63628
314-209-7200
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Tucked away in the heart of the mid-west, Bonne Terre Mine is one of the most exquisite man-made wonders in the US. Formed by the shear determination and ingenuity of several generations of the toughest men in the mining industry, this amazing phenomenon was opened to the public in the early 1980’s. Beautifully preserved by time, guests are transported back to the early 1900’s as they descend the 65 steps into the heart of the Mine. Above ground, they do not realize the enormity of the maze of tunnels and cathedral size rooms hundreds of feet below the surface. Areas below ground have been minimally adapted to provide the Mine’s guests with just under an hour of ooh’s, aah’s, history and fun.
Several years of research, exploring, planning and careful preparation culminated in Bonne Terre Mine’s unique experience for divers and non-divers alike. After descending into the bowels of the earth, breathtaking views thrill participants of all ages and provide an unforgettable experience. Walking through the Mine is like traveling back in time – eerie, quiet and very still. Whether above water in the boat or below water in scuba gear, the awe-inspiring crystal clear, time-stilled waters offer a glimpse of bygone days of the mining industry at its peak. Use your imagination and you can see the miners punching their time cards at the time keepers shack, sitting on a ledge reading a magazine during their break, or climbing overhead on scaffolding that is now suspended in space and time.
Diving Bonne Terre Mine requires almost zero planning. For starters, there’s no need for weather reports. Ever. Year-round, the conditions inside never deviate: The water remains 60 degrees, the air temperature remains 62 degrees, and visibility extends beyond 100 feet. Nor do you need to coordinate with a buddy’s time off. Three dives are offered on Saturday with a continuation of Saturday dives on Sunday; divers join guided groups where a safety diver runs sweep. All dives are led through a series of standard routes, or trails, by highly trained and experienced guides. The trails are numbers 1 through 50 and must be dived in order: i.e., a diver cannot experience Trail 2 until he or she has completed Trail 1. Trails wind past ore cars, elevator shafts, slurry pipes, equipment like shovels and axes, the cart-track system, laboratories, engineering rooms, and the timekeeper’s shack. Plus the whole place is illuminated, so you don’t need a dive light. In terms of geology, trails lead past white calcium-carbonate formations and glittering quartz veins. You must be a certified scuba diver and make reservations in advance to dive .
Your one stop shop for everything scuba in the heart of America since 1960. Call us at 314-209-7200. Whether your looking for scuba classes, travel, the retail store, rental, service, repair or a trip to Bonne Terre Mine or Maya Palms Resort - we've got it all.
