Best shallow wrecks near Chicago/Lake Michigan?

[nquinn]

I'm a recreational diver with ~ 35 dives. Have AOW and Nitrox certs.

Looking to get a bit more experience, but want to do it safely. Realized that my family who lives in the south suburbs of Chicago has easy access to the Hammond marina where some charters go out of.

Are there any wrecks that you'd focus on that are worth seeing and not too deep? Let's say 100' max, but would prefer some 50-70' ones to start.

In general, how is visibility in lake michigan for these wrecks? Still get a bit nervous in low vis situations.

 

[Marie13]

Never mind.

 

[Jack Hammer]

Local temps tend be cold with visibility ranging from 70'+ down to less than 10'. One site can have spectacular vis and the next site awful. Most our wrecks near Chicago are between 25' to 80' deep. Further out it gets deeper and there are a few near shore that are very shallow but vis can be zero on those at times. The Material Service Barge is a great, easy, and shallow wreck that is just outside the harbor. It has easy swim through in the cargo bays and vis inside is typically good. The Wells Burt is a 200' long schooner in about 40' of water that is also a nice dive. Double Action Dive Charters is currently the only game in town for charters. The have some wrecks listed on their webpage.

Wrecks - Double Action Dive Charters