If you're looking for a change of pace from the usual reef dives, scuba diving at quill lake infinite air is honestly one of those experiences you just have to try once. It's not your typical tropical getaway with neon-colored fish and palm trees, but there's something strangely addictive about the prairie landscape and the unique conditions you find in these waters. I remember the first time I headed out there; I wasn't quite sure what to expect from a lake in the middle of the plains, but the team at Infinite Air really knows how to make the whole thing feel like a proper adventure.
Most people think you need to fly halfway across the world to get some decent time underwater. While I love a good coral reef as much as the next person, there's a specific kind of peacefulness that comes with diving in a spot like Quill Lake. It's quiet, it's local, and when you're geared up and sinking below the surface, all that noise from the "real world" just evaporates.
The Vibe at Infinite Air
One of the first things you'll notice when you show up for scuba diving at quill lake infinite air is that the atmosphere is incredibly laid back. You won't find any of that high-pressure, rushed feeling you sometimes get at big tourist hubs. The crew at Infinite Air treats you more like a friend they're taking out for a Saturday hobby than a customer on a clock.
They've got this way of making the technical stuff feel manageable. If you're a bit of a gear nerd, you'll be happy to know their tanks and regulators are top-notch. I've been on plenty of dives where I was handed a BCD that looked like it survived a war, but here, everything feels crisp and well-maintained. It gives you that extra bit of confidence when you're heading into water that might be a bit murkier than the Caribbean.
What's the Water Actually Like?
Let's be real for a second: the visibility isn't always going to be fifty feet of crystalline blue. This is lake diving, after all. But that's actually part of the charm. When you're scuba diving at quill lake infinite air, you're dealing with a different kind of environment. The lake is known for its high salinity and alkalinity, which does some pretty interesting things to the underwater landscape.
You'll see rock formations and silt beds that look almost like a moonscape. Because the water chemistry is a bit different than your average freshwater pond, the life you find down there has its own character. You aren't looking for Nemo, but watching the way the light filters through the greener water to hit the lake bed is pretty mesmerizing in its own right. It's moody, it's atmospheric, and it makes for some great photos if you've got a decent underwater housing for your camera.
Getting Comfortable with the Buoyancy
If you've mostly dived in the ocean, you'll find that scuba diving at quill lake infinite air requires a little bit of recalibration. Since the salt levels in Quill Lake are quite high—sometimes even higher than the ocean depending on the season and water levels—your buoyancy is going to feel a bit "off" at first.
I remember my first descent there; I kept floating up like a cork because I hadn't accounted for how much the salt would push back. The Infinite Air folks are great at helping you dial in your weight belt. They usually suggest adding a few extra pounds than you'd normally use in a standard lake. Once you get that sweet spot, though, you can just hover over the bottom and watch the world go by. It's a great place to practice your trim and fine-tune those skills because the environment is relatively forgiving.
Why Local Diving is Worth the Effort
I think there's a bit of a misconception that local diving is just "practice" for the big trips. I used to think that way too, but scuba diving at quill lake infinite air changed my mind. There's something to be said for the accessibility of it. You don't have to deal with airports, TSA, or heavy luggage fees. You just pack the truck, grab a coffee, and you're there.
It also builds a sense of community. You start seeing the same faces at the Infinite Air shop or at the entry points. You swap stories about that one time the visibility was surprisingly clear, or you talk about the gear you're looking to upgrade. It turns a solo hobby into a social event. Plus, diving in varying conditions—like the cooler, more opaque waters of a lake—actually makes you a much better diver. If you can navigate and stay calm in a prairie lake, you can handle almost anything the ocean throws at you.
The Gear You'll Want to Bring
While the shop has everything you need, there are a few things I'd recommend if you're planning a trip for scuba diving at quill lake infinite air. First off, a good 7mm wetsuit is pretty much a must, even in the height of summer. The surface might feel like a bathtub, but once you hit those thermoclines a few meters down, things get chilly fast.
Thermal Protection
I've seen people try to go down in a 3mm shorty because it was 30 degrees Celsius outside, and they usually regret it about ten minutes into the dive. Your body loses heat way faster underwater, and there's nothing that ruins a dive quicker than shivering so hard you can't keep your regulator still.
Lighting and Navigation
Even on a sunny day, a primary dive light is a huge plus. It helps bring out the colors that the green water tends to wash out. It's also handy for peering into little crevices or under submerged logs where the local residents might be hiding. A compass is another good shout. Since the bottom can be a bit featureless in some areas, having a solid heading makes getting back to your exit point a lot easier.
Safety and the Infinite Air Approach
The one thing I really appreciate about the way they handle scuba diving at quill lake infinite air is the emphasis on safety without being overbearing. They want you to have a good time, but they aren't going to let you do anything stupid. They're very upfront about the conditions—if the wind is whipping up the silt and the visibility is zero, they'll tell you straight up rather than letting you waste your time.
They also keep a close eye on the water levels. Since Quill Lake is an endorheic basin (which is just a fancy way of saying water flows in but doesn't flow out to the sea), the depth and salinity can swing quite a bit. The Infinite Air crew stays on top of these changes so they can advise you on the best entry spots and what to look out for.
Making a Day of It
If you're heading out for some scuba diving at quill lake infinite air, I'd suggest making a whole day of it. The area around the lakes is actually pretty beautiful in a rugged, wide-open sort of way. It's a massive bird sanctuary, so if you're into nature photography, you'll find plenty to do during your surface intervals.
Usually, after a couple of tanks, we'll fire up a small grill or just hang out by the water and talk shop. There's a certain kind of "post-dive glow" that's universal, whether you were looking at a Great White or a particularly interesting rock in Saskatchewan. You're tired, you're salty, and you've got that heavy-limb feeling that only comes from a day spent in the water.
Wrapping It Up
At the end of the day, scuba diving at quill lake infinite air is what you make of it. It's an adventure for those who don't need fancy amenities to enjoy being underwater. It's about the challenge of the environment, the quality of the company, and the simple joy of breathing underwater. If you're stuck in a rut with your diving or just want to see what the local scene has to offer, give Infinite Air a shout. You might find that the best dive of your season is a lot closer to home than you thought. Just remember to pack an extra layer for the thermocline and maybe a thermos of hot coffee for when you get out—you'll thank me later.