Nearest diving to Ann Arbor?

[Bretagus]

So... I'm going to be moving soon (going back to school). Right now, its looking like Ann Arbor MI or Bloomington IN. I've heard about some good wrecks in the Great Lakes, but I'm wondering... how far away would one have to drive in order to get some dives in from Ann Arbor?

Also, are we talking dry suit? I've been diving in New England the past two summers, so I'm used to 7mm, steel tank/backplate style diving; but I've also stuck to shore diving (max depth ~60ft, I'm only there for about 10 minutes before I start to freeze). I'm trained to go deeper (and have, but only in warmer, caribbean waters).

As I mentioned, I'm going back to school so I won't have a lot of coin to drop on charters. Any quarry diving?

Any info you all can get me would be awesome. Thanks!
Brett

 

[violakat03]

There's two quarries in Northern Ohio - Gilboa and White Star. Wouldn't be too far from Ann Arbor ( about 1 1/2 hr) but it's over 4 hours from Bloomington to Gilboa.

 

[Divers Incorporated]

The closest diving that people do regularly near Ann Arbor is Spring Mill Pond. You can also find people at the quarries in Northern Ohio and the St. Claire River for shore diving.

The Great Lakes offer a number of different opportunities and many people do the dives in a 7mm. We offer a number of Great Lakes dives over the summer that cater to people like you. The closest Great Lakes Diving we do is out of Sanilac Shores. It is about 2 and a half hours from us.

Hope to see you diving this summer.

Rich

 

[Dean810]

You asked about a dry suit. People do dive in 7mm suits all the time in the Great Lakes, but it also sounds like you tend to get cold. If you find yourself doing a lot of diving, a dry suit is certainly a great investment. The only problem with it is the cost. See how you do when you get here, and save your pennies!

 

[micklock]

I dove Half Moon Lake near Hell Mi. off of Hankerd Rd, It's about 20 min from Ann Arbor. It was cold and dark I wore my 7mm wetsuit (should of wore my drysuit) about 15' deep it got dark and I had to borrow my buddies backup light to see my gauges, we got down to 55'. There is some other lakes around there too if you dont mind low vis and cold.

 

[schu1842]

I think Monroe Quarry is right down the road from Ann Arbor. My son is at UM and is in the process of getting certified. I was thinking about diving Monroe with him later this spring. If that doesn't work just head down I 75 and dive Portage Quarry. Its right next to Bowling Green. Its huge with plenty to see including a Hansa jet.

 

[JEScholz]

From Ann Arbor, you have lots of wreck choices within a 4-5 hour drive, or lakes & Quaries within a 2 hour drive. Lake 16, north of Battle Creek is one possibliity. You also can do a dry chamber dive in Kalamazoo.

 

[Bretagus]

Nice, thanks for the responses. Seems like the great lakes states have a fairly active dive community. Haha, Betail, lets hope none of us need to do a dry dive!

Maybe I'll see some of you in the future...
-Brett