Galveston Diving
Day Trips
Diving offshore in Galveston is a unique and beautiful experience. During our day trips we will dive two sites that are located roughly 70 miles offshore or a 3-hour boat ride. Once offshore, we will dive Stetson Bank and a rig platform, Kraken and a rig platform or 2 rig platforms (the determination between location is weather and current based)
Stetson Bank: Stetson Bank is a part of the Flower Gardens National Marine Sanctuary. At Stetson Bank, divers encounter one of the northernmost true coral reef environments in the Gulf of Mexico. The dive is characterized by rocky ridges and pinnacles rather than sheer walls, covered in large brain corals, star corals, fire coral, and colorful sponges. Schools of reef fish such as angelfish, butterflyfish, and wrasse move constantly over the reef, while moray eels, octopus, and nudibranchs hide among cracks and ledges. Because Stetson Bank sits in slightly shallower, cooler water than the main Flower Garden Banks, the coral community is especially hardy and distinct, giving divers a chance to see a vibrant, healthy reef system in an unexpected offshore setting. Average depth: up to 100 feet.
The Kraken: The Kraken is a 371 foot cargo ship that Texas Parks and Wildlife sank as part of the artificial reef program. The dive begins at 60 feet with an average depth of 100-110 feet. The main cabins of the vessel have been opened up to accommodate divers. On this dive you will see everything from french angels to large jacks and grouper.
Platforms: Diving a rig reef is unlike diving a natural coral reef. The massive steel legs of offshore platforms rise hundreds of feet from the Gulf floor, creating dramatic vertical relief and allowing divers to explore a wide range of depths on a single dive. Dense schools of fish often cluster around beams, cross-members, and shaded corners, while ambush predators use the structure to hunt. A closer look reveals sponges, barnacles, soft corals, and other encrusting invertebrates coating the metal surfaces, turning industrial steel into living habitat. In the surrounding blue water, pelagic visitors such as sharks and large schooling fish may cruise past, adding to the sense of scale and excitement. Average depth: up to 90 feet or shallower than previous dive if it is second dive of the day.
See gallery of pictures below!
When do we run charters?
The best season is typically from June – October
How long does it take?
Depending on seas, it can take around 2 ½ -3 hours to reach the dive sites. The entire day is typically around 12 hours.
How much does it cost?
The cost of the trip is $460 per person. We take 4 - 6 guests at a time. We will provide a DM, tanks, weights, water, light snacks, and a one-of-a-kind gulf diving experience.
How far in advance do you schedule?
These trips sell out quick! We have posted our entire 2026 season calendar on our local dives page under the calendar tab.
Where does it leave from?
Freeport
What is the size of the boat?
Our trips depart on a 36-foot center console
What do I need to bring?
Dive gear (bring or rent - required), computer (bring or rent - required), SMB (bring - required), water, snacks (we recommend a light and a line cutter)
What dive skills are required?
Gulf diving is often considered more advanced, because it demands a higher level of comfort, awareness, and self-reliance from divers. Our dives are conducted offshore, far from land, where conditions can change quickly and dives are planned around currents, depth, and open-water environments. Divers are typically expected to be proficient with buoyancy control, comfortable descending and ascending along lines, and capable of managing deeper profiles than those found on many nearshore reef dives. Situational awareness is critical—whether navigating large structures, maintaining position in current, or monitoring depth and gas while surrounded by blue water.
It is highly recommended that divers who sign up for these trips are confident divers with experience diving saltwater from a boat or multiple dives past their initial certification dives in freshwater. If any divers are on a trip and are not comfortable or if the DM determines it is unsafe for them to dive based on skills that can affect the group's safety, then they will be asked to sit on the boat and no refunds will be issued.
Can I spearfish?
Lionfish only and only on rig dives
Can I book for a junior diver on the trip?
Yes, but please chat with our team first so we can chat a little about their experience and comfort levels. Junior divers will require and additional payment for a private divemaster to ensure their comfort and safety during the trip.
Once booked, day trips are nonrefundable and dates are non-transferable unless operator cancels or a replacement for seat is found.
Full Terms, Conditions and Policies can be found here:
