In Chicago on Memorial Day weekend - Any diving close by?
- Thread starter tank29
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Lake Michigan?
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There is that little pond just east of Chicago. 
If you have a car, Haigh Quarry is about 1.5 hours south of Chicago.
If you have a car, Haigh Quarry is about 1.5 hours south of Chicago.
Yeah, I'm kinda sort of aware of that lake thingy (having grown up in the suburbs).
Here is a more specific question:
What kind of diving is available in Lake Michigan from the Chicago area?
I've moved since I got certified, so I have no knowledge of Chicago diving.
Here is a more specific question:
What kind of diving is available in Lake Michigan from the Chicago area?
I've moved since I got certified, so I have no knowledge of Chicago diving.
- Messages
- 1,840
- Reaction score
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- # of dives
- 1000 - 2499
Wreck diving baby!!!! Not may fresh water reefs in the area. 
Well I was hoping there would be some wrecks around Chicago. Are there any charters that folks recommend? Is anyone planning trips for that weekend? What is the price range for a day of diving? What is the average depth and vis? Anything else I should be asking?
Kid,
I think the arm chair+ quarry divers are jerking your chain, Do you have a dry suit or cold water exposure gear and cold water regs ? is the question that should be asked.
Diving around Chicago
There are charter boats available see list lower page, and renting equipment is generally procured through the charter boat companies but ask.
you can explore a multitude of shipwrecks on Lake Michigan. Most wrecks that occurred in the early part of the 20th Century have been destroyed by the local government for being navigational hazards for other nautical vehicles. However there are a few left worth exploring, most easily reachable by charter boats:
The Sebastopol was a steamer that went down during a gale in 1856.
The David Dows was a cargo five-masted schooner that sank in 1892.
The famed passenger liner, the Iowa, became stuck in ice and sank in 1915.
The Tacoma was a wooden steam powered tug boat that sank in 1929.
Evanston Beach, north of downtown Chicago, is home to the wreck of the George Morley. This wood hull freighter sank 1892 off the Chicago coast of Lake Michigan.
Dive Chicago Scuba Diving Charters
Action One Dive Center Edwardsville IL 618-656-REEF
Captain Dale's Dive Center Wheeling IL 847-520-4689
Captain Dale's, Inc. Buffalo Grove IL 847-520-4689
Dive Chicago Chicago IL 312-922-5090
Enterprise Marine Buffalo Grove IL 847-520-4689
Enterprise Marine Des Plaines IL 847-640-8113
Mermet Springs Vienna IL 618-658-3811
N'Pursuit Adventure Charters Inc. Hobart IN 219-942-5767
Prospect Dive and Sport Shop Arlington Heights IL 708-259-0606
Scuba Emporium Alsip IL 708-389-9410
Scuba Sports Springfield IL 217-787-DIVE
Scuba U Burbank IL 708-599-2630
Sealevel Diving McHenry IL 815-344-9732
Sentry Pool & Dive Moline IL 800-443-8625
The Triton's Scuba Club DesPlaines IL 847-394-0975
Good luck and have fun!
Brad
I think the arm chair+ quarry divers are jerking your chain, Do you have a dry suit or cold water exposure gear and cold water regs ? is the question that should be asked.
Diving around Chicago
There are charter boats available see list lower page, and renting equipment is generally procured through the charter boat companies but ask.
you can explore a multitude of shipwrecks on Lake Michigan. Most wrecks that occurred in the early part of the 20th Century have been destroyed by the local government for being navigational hazards for other nautical vehicles. However there are a few left worth exploring, most easily reachable by charter boats:
The Sebastopol was a steamer that went down during a gale in 1856.
The David Dows was a cargo five-masted schooner that sank in 1892.
The famed passenger liner, the Iowa, became stuck in ice and sank in 1915.
The Tacoma was a wooden steam powered tug boat that sank in 1929.
Evanston Beach, north of downtown Chicago, is home to the wreck of the George Morley. This wood hull freighter sank 1892 off the Chicago coast of Lake Michigan.
Dive Chicago Scuba Diving Charters
Action One Dive Center Edwardsville IL 618-656-REEF
Captain Dale's Dive Center Wheeling IL 847-520-4689
Captain Dale's, Inc. Buffalo Grove IL 847-520-4689
Dive Chicago Chicago IL 312-922-5090
Enterprise Marine Buffalo Grove IL 847-520-4689
Enterprise Marine Des Plaines IL 847-640-8113
Mermet Springs Vienna IL 618-658-3811
N'Pursuit Adventure Charters Inc. Hobart IN 219-942-5767
Prospect Dive and Sport Shop Arlington Heights IL 708-259-0606
Scuba Emporium Alsip IL 708-389-9410
Scuba Sports Springfield IL 217-787-DIVE
Scuba U Burbank IL 708-599-2630
Sealevel Diving McHenry IL 815-344-9732
Sentry Pool & Dive Moline IL 800-443-8625
The Triton's Scuba Club DesPlaines IL 847-394-0975
Good luck and have fun!
Brad
Some of the contact information quoted is very old.
You can get information on Lake Michigan Charters and training at Captain Dales Inc.
Captain Dale's, Inc. used to have a dive center in Wheeling but I sold that some years ago and the shop closed a couple of years later. Captain Dale's, Inc. is now located at my home in Des Plaines. Captain Dale's, Inc. continues to offer recreational, technical and instructor training.
Enterprise Marine, Inc. operates the dive charter boat, Enterprise, out of the Lake Michigan port of Waukegan. Information about Enterprise is available on the Captain Dale's web site.
You can contact me about training or charters by calling me at 847-640-8113.
Dean810
Contributor
There are a number of charter options. Basically, there are 3 regions in the immediate Chicago area covered by charters, each charter tends to specialize in what makes most economic sense for them to travel to.
At the southern tip of Lake Michigan, there is N'Pursuit (219-942-5767). The wrecks here are shallower (around 40'). I would say the two best visits would be the Material Service Barge (yes barge, but a very interesting one) and the Tacoma tugboat.
In downtown Chicago, there are two charters out of Burnham Harbor. Dive Chicago (312-922-5090) and Windy City (630-209-2445) The Straits of Mackinac is a very popular dive at around 70'. It was scuttled for diving and is a good boat. There is also the historic three masted schooner Wells Burt, in very good shape even though it is only in about 40' (or less) of water.
Up north in Waukegan is Capt. Dale. He has introduced himself already. My favorite dive up there is the Wisconsin, a fantastic wreck, but deep. I have never gone deeper than 120' on that one, but you can I hear. He does shallower dives too. The Lady Elgin is popular, and very historic, but it is also very broken up.
Prices vary depending on the operator, but expect about $100, especially with the downtown charters. Burnham Harbor has got to be an expensive place to moor a boat!
If all that is too pricey, Haigh Quarry, as mentioned above is a great spot. Call Tina at (815) 939-7797. $20 plus air. If you don't have a dive buddy, she will find one for you. I should be there myself this Saturday.
Hope this helps a little.
At the southern tip of Lake Michigan, there is N'Pursuit (219-942-5767). The wrecks here are shallower (around 40'). I would say the two best visits would be the Material Service Barge (yes barge, but a very interesting one) and the Tacoma tugboat.
In downtown Chicago, there are two charters out of Burnham Harbor. Dive Chicago (312-922-5090) and Windy City (630-209-2445) The Straits of Mackinac is a very popular dive at around 70'. It was scuttled for diving and is a good boat. There is also the historic three masted schooner Wells Burt, in very good shape even though it is only in about 40' (or less) of water.
Up north in Waukegan is Capt. Dale. He has introduced himself already. My favorite dive up there is the Wisconsin, a fantastic wreck, but deep. I have never gone deeper than 120' on that one, but you can I hear. He does shallower dives too. The Lady Elgin is popular, and very historic, but it is also very broken up.
Prices vary depending on the operator, but expect about $100, especially with the downtown charters. Burnham Harbor has got to be an expensive place to moor a boat!
If all that is too pricey, Haigh Quarry, as mentioned above is a great spot. Call Tina at (815) 939-7797. $20 plus air. If you don't have a dive buddy, she will find one for you. I should be there myself this Saturday.
Hope this helps a little.
JEScholz
Contributor
Dean makes a good buddy. I dove with him at Gilboa last year.
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