Need some info on Great Lake Diving

[CDNScubaMoose]

I usually make it up to Tobermory 3 or 4 times a year and diving can be great up there. Due to the peninsula there is very little surface water run off so the vis is pretty good most times (unless we have had a big wind in which case the lake may turn over). I've seen 80' vertical visibility and I've also seen 30'. Most of the wrecks in Tobermory can definitely claim to be wrecks - lots of rocks that brought them to their demise so they are broken up unless you are willing to go deep (Arabia, or Forest City). There is also the Niagra II which was purposly sunk which makes for a nice dive or two. Other options to break up the drive on your way up to Tobermory would be a drift dive in either the Detroit or St. Clair Rivers (I usually get 1 or 2 in per week) and my favorite dive is the wreck of the Wexford out of Grand Bend - can be a bit tricky to line up a charter to get you out to the wreck but if the weather co-operates (Late July to Mid August seems best) with a couple days of low wind and it is amazing.

Other area I'm vamilar with is Kingston/Brockville - great diving in both although no thermoclines in Brockville. Vis can be a bit more tempermental then Tobermory but water temperatures make up for it.

Cheers,
Aaron

P.s. - don't worry about the thermocline at 45 feet ... its the 2nd one at 80-90' that will have you contemplating about peeing in your drysuit

 

[weaserm99]

I work for a shop in buffalo, We do tons of lake erie charters, we go through eastlake charters and osprey charters. We also have two tobermory trips and one trip to the thousand islands, brockville area. If you dont want to have to plan anything except for getting to our location then you would probly like our charters. The shop i work for is Dip 'N Dive. Links below include our web site and email address.

dipndive.com - Home
dipndive@verizon.net

 

[ComputerJoe]

FrogDiver,

My web site list almost all the dives in and around Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. I think I counted about 20 wrecks in less than 20'. The problem is that after 100 years in shallow waters and storms most have fallen over or have been mad into fillets. In the 30-60' range I have to reccomend the DM Wilson and the Nordmeer. When the Wilson went down in ~1894 with a load of coal she settled into the clay about 6' or so. This and the load of coal have kept her sidewall upright and mostly intact. The engine & boiler were salvaged back when but there is still a real cool space under the boiler pan. For a 45' deep wooden steamer dive she is about the best you will find.

 

[Sharkdiver_Mac]

Don't overlook diving the Regina and Mary B. Alice wrecks in Lake Huron. We dove with Four Fathoms out of Port Sanilac - I'd definitely go back and dive with them again.

 

[DOkie]

Just a little tidbit - my only piece of advice is to run your dive plan by here before you come. Maybe we can give you specifics. Example: There is a HUGE difference between diving Munising (beautiful clear water) and diving Menominee/The Green Bay (dark, dark, low viz - 5 feet is a GREAT DAY, mucky, lots of silt, and did I mention dark). Don't get me wrong, we have some pretty awesome wrecks around here, but wouldn't want you to be disappointed in the diving conditions.

 

[DeepDiver36]

The wife and I are making a trip to Chicago in May and looking at making some dives in Lake Michigan. I can not see where anyone has mentioned this area in the thread.

I found found several good charters. My question is how cold should we expect? I assume mid to high 50's? 7mm good enough or dry suit? Vis and any other advice anyone way be able to provide.

Thanks.

 

[b1gcountry]

Temp is a crapshoot around Chicago. It depends on what time of year it is, which way the winds have been blowing, and luck. The deep part of the lake is pretty much a constant 38*. The surface can get as warm as High 80*s in summer. The area around Chicago is a very shallow, so a really hot August can warm it up pretty good. A Breeze from the North can push the warm water down to Chicago, and make it 80* down to the bottom. A steady breeze from the South can push the warm water away, and make it 40* down to the bottom. And conditions can dramatically change from one day to the next.

Tom

 

[Dean810]

I agree with the above about Chicago, but I wouldn't want to scare anyone off. In general in the Chicago area, a 7mm works fine in July, August and September for most people. In the deeper water, yes it can stay in the 40's, but most recreational charters stay in the 40-70 foot range. I have heard of 80 degree water from top to bottom, but that condition is very rare. I have never been in it. I would say the same if true of the very cold water from top to bottom during the warmer months. Expect water temps in the mid to upper 50's most the time and you shouldn't go too wrong. I only dive dry, but many people do not.

 

[gskidmor]

http://www.divethegreatlakes.com

The above site has a lot of wrecks throughout the great lakes - it lists a good deal of the dive shops/charters and maps out the wrecks - worth checking out

Jerry

 

[texdiveguy]

Many of you dove the north shore of Lake Superior in Mn. out of Duluth/Superior..? I will be diving there this August.