How deep is Haigh Quarry?

Haigh Quarry ranges from 4.6 to 25.9 metres deep (15–85 feet). It is a freshwater site rated as intermediate difficulty. Depths vary across the site, so plan your profile to your training and verify conditions locally.

Is Haigh Quarry a shore dive or a boat dive?

Haigh Quarry is a shore dive — you can enter from land. The entry is recorded as an easy walk-in. The entry area is recorded as sheltered from surge. Basic facilities are recorded at or near the site, and cell service is recorded as good. Entry details and parking notes, where known, are listed in the access section of this page.

Can beginners dive Haigh Quarry?

Haigh Quarry is rated as intermediate difficulty, which may not suit new divers. Listed depths run from 4.6 to 25.9 metres (15–85 feet). Access is from shore, with the entry recorded as an easy walk-in. Consider your experience level, conditions, and local guidance before planning.

What will I see at Haigh Quarry?

Divers at Haigh Quarry in United States commonly report sightings of Largemouth bass, Paddlefish, Channel catfish, Sunfish, and Northern pike. Largemouth bass, Channel catfish, and Sunfish are recorded as common sightings, while Paddlefish and Northern pike are reported only occasionally. Marine life varies by season and conditions—check the site page for recent diver observations and photos.

Add the first photo

IntermediateShore entry

Haigh Quarry

Illinois, United StatesDirections

Open Water suggested5–26 m depthShore entry

Haigh Quarry at a glance

Haigh Quarry is an intermediate shore dive site in Illinois, United States with depths of 4.6–25.9 m (15–85 ft). Typically most favorable Sep · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Largemouth bass, Paddlefish, and Channel catfish. Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Wind model · graded 1h ago

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Tap a factor for its source and model point

Site hazards: Cold thermocline in the deep hole, silt around attractions, student traffic on platforms

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Wed

Fri13:00–20:00

Sat7:00–20:00

Sun7:00–17:00

Mon7:00–19:00

Tue16:00–19:00

Wed7:00–19:00

Thu7:00–19:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 6:00 · Sunrise 6:28 · Sunset 19:07

Source: Open-Meteo wind · graded 1h ago

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Forecast · NOAA tide model

Tide & slack timing

Recent diver reports

Dated firsthand observations from divers — not current conditions.

No diver reports for this site yet. — one dated observation helps every diver after you.

Dived here today — did the forecast match?

What Divers Say

Known for: Largemouth bass, Channel catfish, Sunfish

Best time: Spring for best visibility (about 35 ft); fall visibility drops to about 15 ft

Based on community reviews and site data. Conditions vary — always verify before diving.

Best months, historically

What conditions have historically been typical at this site, month by month — not a forecast.

Jan73% 12 kn
Feb67% 12 kn
Mar45% 14 kn
Apr51% 14 kn
May75% 12 kn
Jun70% 12 kn
Jul83% 10 kn
Aug88% 10 kn
Sep96% 9 kn
Oct68% 12 kn
Nov71% 12 kn
Dec74% 12 kn

September hastypically had the largest share of favorable days here. Conditions vary year to year — this is historical context, not a forecast.

Based on 3 years of archive data. Bar height shows the share of days each month whose conditions have historically scored favorably.

Marine life seen at this site

Species noted at this site — not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

Fills & rentals nearby

Facts from OpenStreetMap, corrected by the community — listed by distance only. Details change; confirm with the shop.

Haigh Quarry1.2 km
Air fills
+1 815-939-7797 haighquarry.com
Report a fix

Shop facts come from OpenStreetMap and community corrections, shown nearest first. PickADive lists facts and contacts only — no listing is sponsored or ranked.

Data updated June 2026

Site details

Haigh Quarry, nicknamed the 'Caribbean of the Midwest,' is a 12-13 acre spring-fed former limestone quarry in Kankakee that has operated as a family-run dive park since the Haigh family bought it in 1978. The north side is a shallow 20-30 foot training area divided from the deeper south basin (40-60 feet, with an 85-foot hole in the southeast corner) by the beach walk-in entry. Attractions include a 33-foot cabin cruiser, a military dump truck, an amphibious LARC, a step van and the original rock crusher, with abundant fish including giant paddlefish.

shorewreck

Cold thermocline in the deep hole, silt around attractions, student traffic on platforms

Reviews

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