Looking for dive site advice in SE Wisconsin (Milwaukee area)

[BrandonTL]

I am a new diver (based on number of dives, I have been OW certified since 2020). Up until this point I have only been diving on vacations. I have recently purchased some equipment with the desire of diving locally so I can start to get a lot more experience and become a better diver. I am scheduled for my AOW toward the end of June, but I would like to get a few easy dives in (with my dive buddy who is at the same level as me and will be doing AOW with me). My thinking is that I would like to work on buoyancy, trim, planning, navigation, etc before AOW so I can go and sharpen my weak points in the class rather than just being introduced to it during the class.

I live in Milwaukee County (specifically Oak Creek). Is anyone from this area? Could you point me in the direction of some easy shore entry sites? I used to live in Racine and I know that people used to dive in the Racine Quarry Lake. I did a quick search for that on this site but the last post I could find about it was from 14 years ago so I don't know if it is still good information.

Basically I am just looking for a few places I can just jump in, without the cost of a boat, a crazy long drive or the risks of just jumping blindly into any random spot without knowing what I am getting into. If any of you could help I would be super grateful!

 

[BrandonTL]

I'm also interested if anyone knows of any groups local to this area so I can keep up with dive stuff in the area.

 

[Smache]

Another Milwaukee diver!

Underwater Connection in Menomonee Falls does "Wet Wednesday" once a month in one of the local inland lakes. My go-to practice spot is Lannon Quarry. Not too much to see for either one, but always good to get in the water.

The only shore diving site in Lake Michigan that I can think of is the Appomatox wreck in Shorewood. I have not been there, but want to check it out. Doing it as a shore dive would require perfect conditions and some kind of cart to get everything down the ramp and across the beach.

Jitka (Shipwreck Explorers) also has a ton of trips scheduled if you're not too opposed to boats

I'm in Milwaukee until the end of July. Send me a PM if you want to dive

 

[Chris H]

Check out Scuba Diving Wisconsin | 4seasonsscubadivers I'm pretty sure they dive every week, and may be loosely affilitated with Stillwater Diving in Delafield. I went ice diving with them several years ago. Lake Michigan is my preference in Milwaukee.

 

[BrandonTL]

Another Milwaukee diver!

Underwater Connection in Menomonee Falls does "Wet Wednesday" once a month in one of the local inland lakes. My go-to practice spot is Lannon Quarry. Not too much to see for either one, but always good to get in the water.

The only shore diving site in Lake Michigan that I can think of is the Appomatox wreck in Shorewood. I have not been there, but want to check it out. Doing it as a shore dive would require perfect conditions and some kind of cart to get everything down the ramp and across the beach.

Jitka (Shipwreck Explorers) also has a ton of trips scheduled if you're not too opposed to boats

I'm in Milwaukee until the end of July. Send me a PM if you want to dive

Thanks for the suggestions! Also, not opposed to boats at all, I prefer them . Just that if I only do boat dives, the cost will reduce the amount of time I spend in the water.

Here is the link for Wet Wednesdays at Underwater Connection in case anyone else read that and was interested. Looks fun. For starters though I want to get in without a group so I can just sit in one spot at my own pace and work on some of my skill. I think I will definitely do some dives with them soon though!

 

[BrandonTL]

Check out Scuba Diving Wisconsin | 4seasonsscubadivers I'm pretty sure they dive every week, and may be loosely affilitated with Stillwater Diving in Delafield. I went ice diving with them several years ago. Lake Michigan is my preference in Milwaukee.

Thanks for sharing the link to the diver's club. Exactly the kind of thing I am looking for!

 

[Marie13]

There’s a SE WI diving group on FB. You should check it out.

 

[BrandonTL]

There’s a SE WI diving group on FB. You should check it out.

Thanks! I wonder why it didn't come up when I searched for SE Wisconsin Divers... When I searched for SE Wisconsin Scuba, I found it (I think). Is this the one you are referring to? I joined.

 

[Marie13]

Thanks! I wonder why it didn't come up when I searched for SE Wisconsin Divers... When I searched for SE Wisconsin Scuba, I found it (I think). Is this the one you are referring to? I joined.

Yes, that’s the one.

 

[unrusstricted]

Another Milwaukee diver!

Underwater Connection in Menomonee Falls does "Wet Wednesday" once a month in one of the local inland lakes. My go-to practice spot is Lannon Quarry. Not too much to see for either one, but always good to get in the water.

The only shore diving site in Lake Michigan that I can think of is the Appomatox wreck in Shorewood. I have not been there, but want to check it out. Doing it as a shore dive would require perfect conditions and some kind of cart to get everything down the ramp and across the beach.

Jitka (Shipwreck Explorers) also has a ton of trips scheduled if you're not too opposed to boats

I'm in Milwaukee until the end of July. Send me a PM if you want to dive

I am looking at doing a Lake Michigan roadtrip in late june and was interested in the Appomattox dive as a shore dive! Does anyone have any more information about the site? If anyone is interested, some company would be nice too!