Diver's Den
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Diver's Den
Location: 5454 S. Hwy. 27, Somerset, KY 42501
Phone: (606) 561-4536
Your Gateway to the World Beneath Lake Cumberland
Lake Cumberland is one of the most beautiful lakes in Kentucky from the surface, but there’s a whole other side to it below. Diver’s Den is the local shop that helps you see it.
Just minutes from Burnside, this full-service scuba center covers more than 10,000 square feet and has been serving Southern Kentucky divers for more than three decades. Whether you’re nervous about your first breath underwater or ready for your next certification, this is where the region’s divers get their start.
Learn to Dive with a PADI Training Facility
Diver’s Den is a PADI Training Facility. PADI, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, is the world’s largest scuba certification organization. All courses follow its standards and are taught by experienced, insured instructors, with safety and confidence coming first.
You’ll find options for every level, from beginner open water courses to advanced certifications and specialty classes. Students complete their classes and then finish with open water sessions in a local body of water, which can include Lake Cumberland itself.
Diving isn’t just for thrill seekers. Owner Dean Littrell has said anyone from a student dreaming of a marine biology career to a first responder training for water rescue can become a certified diver. Younger swimmers can even try it early, with Discovery Diving classes available for kids as young as 8 and PADI certification available at age 10. Once you’re certified, that license is good for life.
Gear, Air Fills and Repairs
The shop’s showroom carries a wide selection of state-of-the-art gear, including wetsuits, regulators, tanks and accessories. In-house technicians handle maintenance and repairs, so your equipment is ready when you are.
Depending on what you need, Diver’s Den also offers:
- Air fills and specialty gas blends such as Nitrox
- Equipment rentals
- Equipment sales and servicing
Dive Trips, Specialty Courses and a Dive Community
Diver’s Den is more than a place to buy gear. The shop hosts local dive outings, specialty courses and travel opportunities for divers who want to explore sites near and far, making it a hub for the region’s dive community. Follow their Facebook page for class schedules, store specials and upcoming trips.
What Diving on Lake Cumberland Is Like
Lake Cumberland was formed when Wolf Creek Dam was completed in 1950, and the flooding left remnants of several small towns beneath the surface. According to Dive Training Magazine, the lake averages about 90 feet deep, with visibility of roughly 10 to 30 feet. Surface temperatures range from around 44°F in February to about 84°F in August. Conditions vary by season and location.
Kentucky Tourism notes that experienced, properly certified divers can explore submerged towns and shoreside caves, and that the dam area near Jamestown is considered by many to be the state’s best diving area. New divers can build up to it with local training and guidance.
Diving Deep into Community Service
Diver’s Den takes the “local” in locally owned seriously. The shop organizes regular volunteer cleanup events that bring divers and community members together to remove debris from local waters. It also offers educational programs and workshops on aquatic conservation and responsible diving.
“We believe that it’s our responsibility to give back to the community that supports us,” says Littrell. “Our lakes and rivers are precious resources, and we want to ensure they remain clean and healthy for generations to come.”
The shop has found creative ways to give back to families too, including a past summer bicycle giveaway for local kids.
Plan Your Visit
Ready to take the plunge? Stop by 5454 S. Hwy. 27 in Somerset, call (606) 561-4536, or check the shop’s Facebook page for classes and events.
