How do you dive the wrecks in great lakes?

[dsc2679]

Hello -

I understand that there are a lot of wrecks and they can be approached from a number of places. I will be coming from Virginia, so what area should I head for to get the best of what the Great Lakes have to offer? Place and Dive operator recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers -

S-H

What area, town, state, province do you plan on visiting? Brockville to Chicago to the Straits of Mackinac to Tobermory is a pretty big area to cover. What is your skill level/max depth. Cold water experience, i.e., drysuit vs. wetsuit? A little more info will help us narrow things down a bit for you.

 

[SeaHound]

Thanks! Very useful info. The more I read the more tempted I get to dive these waters.

As for skill level I am Advanced Open Water with 60 dives. I have no cold water experience and zero dry suit experience. From what I have read, it seems the best thing would be to do a dry suit specialty somewhere as this would enable me to try out the drysuit and dive the wreck in one dive. If I get hooked on to cold water diving (which I believe I will) then I can look into buying dry suit and environmentally sealed reg etc.

 

[vondo]

Thanks! Very useful info. The more I read the more tempted I get to dive these waters.

As for skill level I am Advanced Open Water with 60 dives. I have no cold water experience and zero dry suit experience. From what I have read, it seems the best thing would be to do a dry suit specialty somewhere as this would enable me to try out the drysuit and dive the wreck in one dive. If I get hooked on to cold water diving (which I believe I will) then I can look into buying dry suit and environmentally sealed reg etc.

You could do that. You can also do some shallower wrecks late in the season (August, September) and have tolerable temperatures for a 7mm wetsuit and see if you like it before plunking down more money. That's what I've done for the past two seasons and am only now getting a drysuit to extend my season and range of wrecks I can dive comfortably.

The southern part of Lake Michigan is pretty shallow and still has some great wrecks that could be a good introductions. Windy City Diving: Home Page for Chicago Scuba and Wreck Diving and Scuba Adventure Charters aboard N'Pursuit are both great operators that serve this area. My experience is that finding a charter in September is pretty easy since most people have decided the summer is over when in reality the water is still warming up.

 

[SeaHound]

Makes sense! Wouldnt the autumn months have slightly better viz though? Or does it stay the same all year round?

 

[bladephotog]

You can check out some photos of different preserves at my website to get an idea of what it's like diving here. If you're diving wet and later in the year you might try Sanilac Shores Underwater Preserve in Port Sanilac. Temps on the Regina and some of the shallower stuff is bearable for a wetsuit diver. Try Rec & Tec Charters. Kingston is also wonderful and the Wolfe Islander can be explored in the 50 foot range with warmer temps as well. Don't get me wrong, it's still cold, just not as cold as when you get near the 100 foot mark.

 

[b1gcountry]

Makes sense! Wouldnt the autumn months have slightly better viz though? Or does it stay the same all year round?

Viz is typically best May through early June.
Sea conditions are typically best June through August
Water is typically warmest August through September

You tend to get a lot of charters cancelled in April and October.

Whenever you are diving the great lakes, you are rolling the dice on Weather, Vis and Temps. The best you can do is play the odds. When the weather gets rough, the charters don't run. Last year was particularly rough on the lakes. I had more charters cancelled than actually went. Even two in August which is typically the best month for calm seas. The only thing I can say for certain is the water will definitely be COLD before June. So if you're planning to dive wet, wait until July-Sept.

Tom

 

[Divers Incorporated]

The Great Lakes Diver 2010—USCG Certified Wreck Diving Charter Boat

 

[Divers Incorporated]

Hope this helps

Rec and Tec Scuba Dive Charters - Lexington Michigan, Thumb area Preserve, Sanilac Preserve
The Great Lakes Diver 2010—USCG Certified Wreck Diving Charter Boat
http://www.shipwrecktours.com/
Straits Scuba
Travel the world and drive and dive with the Scuba diving professionals of Divers Incorporated, Ann Arbor, Michigan the Best PADI National Geographic Five Star Instructor Development Center.

Rich

 

[micklock]

Blue Heaven Scuba - Shipwreck Diving, Michigan | Blue Heaven Scuba :: Wreck Diving - Blue Heaven Scuba Diving, Lake Huron, Port Sanilac, Michigan, USA.
We dove with these guys from Port Sanilac last summer. Capt Hollis and Sonny, very nice people.

 

[WhaleSharker1]

We also have great Wrecks in Lake Huron, There are charters out of Lexington and Port Sanilac
what month will you be coming to MI?