288 Lake, Texas

About a 15-minute drive south of downtown Houston is 288 Lake, formerly known as The Reef and as Tiki Lake. Trace Lambert took over the popular recreation site last year and stresses one change he believes divers will like: divers have their own area, away from swimmers. He has moved the underwater platforms to the east side of the 19-acre lake, an area previously undeveloped, and installed docks, erected cabanas, and a changing area. Picnic tables and umbrellas also will be added. Setting aside the east part of the lake for diving made sense not only to provide better visibility for divers but also because it's where divers will find some of the lake's most popular underwater attractions: two buses, several boats and some cars.

Depths to:
45 feet (14 m)
Visibility:
6-30 feet (2-9 m)
Water temperature: 65 degrees Fahrenheit (19 degrees Celsius) in April
Aquatic life:
Incudes bass, perch, brim and turtles.
Fees: $15 per diver per day.
Admission for nondiving adults (ages 13 and older) is $10; $5 for kids ages 4-12.
On-site amenities: Swimming, social events, picnic tables, beaches, volleyball courts, and boat inner tube rentals.
 

More info: Call (713) 203-0152
or visit www.288lake.com.
Open: For divers,
9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
 

Getting there: From downtown Houston, take 288 South to Beltway 8. Turn left (east) and stay on the feeder road. Turn left on 865/Cullen Boulevard. The second street is Schurmier Road. Turn right. Look for a green gate on the right, about half-way down Schurmier.