Windy Point Park, Texas

In 1980, Bob and Richard Barstow founded Windy Point Park, which is part of Lake Travis, west of Austin in central Texas. Divers will find boat wrecks and metal sculptures of a scuba diver, a sea turtle, a shark, a manatee and other objects. There also is a Jet Ski, some small boats, a sailboat, and a Pinto. Six platforms are routinely used for training. Depths beyond 100 feet (30 m) are much cooler, dropping about 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Pets are not allowed on the campgrounds and fishing is prohibited. Windy Point Park offers a natural grass lawn, which leads to an open waterfront on Lake Travis.

Depths to: More than 100 feet (30 m)

Visibility: 10-25 feet (3-7.5 m)

Water temperature: 75-83 degrees Fahrenheit (24-28 degrees Celsius)

Aquatic life: Includes perch

Fees: $10 per diver weekends and $5 weekdays

On-site amenities: Camping areas with fire pits, picnic areas, carts to move your gear, porta-potties, changing facilities, hot and cold showers, concession area, free parking, air fills, protected diving area, entry and exit points, six underwater training platforms.

More info: Visit www.windypointpark.com, call (512) 266-3337 or e-mail info@windypointpark.com.

Open: Year-round.

Getting there: A 30-minute drive from downtown Austin, the park is on Comanche Trail Drive, two miles below the Oasis Restaurant on Lake Travis. Visit the Web site for driving directions.