Dive Into Jacob’s Well at Wimberly, Texas

Deep within the heart of Texas, less than an hour southwest of Austin, is the small town of Wimberly. This small town of less than 3,000 is home to one of the area’s most interesting attractions — Jacob’s Well.

© Kashif Pathan | Flickr

Sitting in the bed of the Cypress Creek, Jacob’s Well is not really a well at all. Rather, it is a natural spring that has been pumping water into the creek for thousands of years. The mouth of the well spans about 12 feet across in diameter, and is large enough for locals and visitors alike to dive. These adventurers climb onto the high rocky ledge surrounding part of the river bed. From there, they jump down into the massive hole, which runs downward about 30 feet. This hole is made of limestone formations, and its floor made from dusty silt particle. Not all who enjoy Jacob’s Well wish to make the dive, however. Others float in the riverbed and contently watch the excitement while listening to music.

While some professional divers dare to explore the intricate underwater cave system beneath the well, it can be extremely dangerous. In fact, in recent years, eight people have died from getting lost or disoriented while underwater.