Ice Hole Festival • Lake Okoboji, Iowa • January 30–February 1, 2026

This is not just another winter dive weekend. This is ice diving at its most exciting: high energy, strong community, and two full days of cold-water adventure. The Ice Hole Festival brings divers from across the Midwest to Lake Okoboji for a celebration of winter diving that combines professional ice operations, a festival atmosphere, and some of the most unforgettable underwater conditions of the season. If the idea of diving through a perfectly cut hole into crystal-clear winter water gets your heart racing, this weekend is built for you.

The Ultimate Midwest Winter Diving Experience

There is nothing like lowering yourself through the ice and into the quiet, calm world beneath the frozen surface. Visibility is excellent, the water is still, and the light filtering through the ice creates a scene unlike anything in warm-water diving. The festival provides pre-cut dive holes, heated tents on the ice, and a full surface support team, creating an experience that is both adventurous and professionally organized. Whether you are already hooked on cold-water diving or ready to experience it for the first time, this event is a highlight of the winter dive calendar.

What the Trip Includes

This trip is structured so you can focus on enjoying the festival and the diving while we handle the logistics. The weekend package includes:

• One night hotel stay

• Two full days of ice diving

• Tank and gear transport to and from the event site

• Unlimited air fills during the event

• Ice Hole Festival entry and participation fee

• Exclusive festival swag

• Divers Incorporated staff support throughout the weekend

Who This Trip Is For

You’ll feel right at home on this trip if you:

• Enjoy cold-water diving and winter adventure

• Want something beyond everyday quarry or open-water diving

• Prefer experiences that come with challenge, fun, and great stories afterward

• Like being part of a group that supports each other and enjoys time both in and out of the water

What to Expect Under the Ice

Winter water brings visibility that divers wait all year for. Dropping into 34°F water is exhilarating, and as soon as you settle on the bottom, the underwater world becomes peaceful and surreal. Light pours in from the hole above. Snowflakes inside the ice drift past like glitter. The sense of calm is unmatched, and surfacing back through the opening with a cheering festival crowd waiting above is a memory that sticks with divers for life.

Gear and Certification Requirements

To participate safely you should have:

• Dry suit experience

• Cold-water regulators

• Comfort in 34°F water

• Redundant air sources recommended

Not certified as an Ice Diver yet? We can help you get trained and ready prior to the event.

What Makes This Trip Special

Midwest divers often think of winter as downtime, but at the Ice Hole Festival, winter becomes the best season of the year. Instead of waiting for the ice to melt, you will be diving through it. Instead of sitting indoors dreaming of adventure, you will be living it. The community atmosphere, the energy on the ice, and the excitement of the dives create a weekend that brings divers together and keeps them coming back.

Reserve Your Spot

Space on this trip is limited due to festival capacity and safety protocols. Once full, registration closes until next year. If you are ready for an unforgettable weekend of cold-water adventure, reserve your place now and join us for one of the most exciting winter dive events in the Midwest.