New to diving: Any good spots to dive within 2 hours of Detroit Metro Airport

[UnderSeaBumbleBee]

Hi Guys,
I am new to diving. I grew up in the metro area, but now live in the upstate of South Carolina. Was wondering if there were any good spots close to my Mom's house and if it would be worth dragging my gear along when I come for a visit. I am thinking within an hour or two of Detroit Metro Airport.

Also, do you have any links to good charters for wrecks in the Great Lakes? I am thinking about doing a dive vacation up that way sometime, so the location wouldn't need to be near Detroit for that trip.

Thanks,
Leah

 

[tracker]

Hello and welcome. Check these out:

http://www.divegilboa.com/

http://www.palmerenterprises.net/Ohio.html

 

[divingjd]

Most of the good diving is more than two hours away. There are a few charters out of Lexington and Port Sanilac (both near Port Huron) and Leamington, Ontario (on Lake Erie), inside the two-hour radius. I haven't done the Lexington or Port Sanilac charters. I only did Leamington once and was not impressed. There is a lot of good wreck diving in the lakes for the longer trip you are talking about. Some of the premier areas are the Straits of Mackinac (charter out of St. Ignace in the Upper Peninsula), Tobermory, Ontario (day charters and a live-aboard that runs weekend trips as well as longer trips), Thunder Bay Marine Preserve at Alpena, Munising, Michigan (near Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in the Upper Peninsula, diving in Lake Superior). Rec Diving in Royal Oak offers several trips during the summer. See http://www.recdiving.com/adventureTravel/index.php.

 

[Eeyore48104]

For "fun" dives, Gilboa (15 miles west of Findlay, OH) and White Star Quarries (near Gibsonburg, OH) are within 2 hours of DTW as well as Portage (south of Bowling Green, OH). Not really "interesting" diving but lots of people go on weekends and fun is normally had!
Sanilac is actually within 2 hours of DTW, I think.

 

[RPanick]

I've dove a few times out of Lexington, most of the dives unfortunately are to freightors that were overturned in a big storm in the early 1900's. So there isn't much to see. There is a small wreck called the Sport that's near shore (means its shallow 30', not shore dive range).

There is supposed to be one other wreck out there that's up right but every time we head out something interferes and we never get to dive it.

The closest interesting dives are out of Alpena (Thunderbay). But that's about a four hour drive. A little more would get you to the straights. If you go to Alpena check out RJ's operation http://www.rjdives.com. He's a good guy, he does commercial diving. My favorite wreck is the Grecian, the E.B. Allen is pretty good too. Both are 90+ foot dives, and this time of year I would suggest a dry suit. You might be able to do it in a 7 mm if you don't mind the cold.

 

[jtivat]

The closest interesting dives are out of Alpena (Thunderbay). But that's about a four hour drive. A little more would get you to the straights. If you go to Alpena check out RJ's operation http://www.rjdives.com. He's a good guy, he does commercial diving. My favorite wreck is the Grecian, the E.B. Allen is pretty good too. Both are 90+ foot dives, and this time of year I would suggest a dry suit. You might be able to do it in a 7 mm if you don't mind the cold.

That is good to hear I will be doing three days of diving with him in two weeks. What other wrecks do you recommend?

 

[Scuba Sweetie]

You could always jump in the Detroit river, if you get desperate enough. Might make for an interesting scrounge dive !! ha ha!

Seriously, there are a couple interesting wrecks on the Canadian side of Port Huron - in Sarnia, just under the Bluewater bridge. On the weekends you'll always find other divers there who can help you navigate. The current can be quite strong, but there is a tow line going out to the main wreck, the Monarch.

 

[DudleyNMU]

Port sanilac is some excellent diving especially this year...The Vis has been great.Also the wreck RPanick was talking about is the REGINA. You can penterate it at your own risk and its very imprssive when inside the engine room. Another Excellent dive is the North Star and the Mary Alice . The Mary Alice is in 95' tug in excellent shape complete with steering wheel. www.greatlakesunderwater.com Also more north you have the Col. Williams and many more. Contact Rec and Tec Dive Charters if you wanna hit them. Great captian and AWSOME BOAT. Good Luck

 

[RPanick]

Port sanilac is some excellent diving especially this year...The Vis has been great.Also the wreck RPanick was talking about is the REGINA. You can penterate it at your own risk and its very imprssive when inside the engine room. Another Excellent dive is the North Star and the Mary Alice . The Mary Alice is in 95' tug in excellent shape complete with steering wheel. www.greatlakesunderwater.com Also more north you have the Col. Williams and many more. Contact Rec and Tec Dive Charters if you wanna hit them. Great captian and AWSOME BOAT. Good Luck

Thanks, I thought it was the Regina, but I couldn't remember. It didn't make my log book, so I couldn't be sure. Haven't had a chance to the Mary Alice either.

As to diving in Alpena, RJ has two boats, a cabin cruiser which is faster but at most probably a six pack. The other boat is much slower but has a lot more room. The Nordmeer (spelling) was interesting but real shallow and a very long ride. The one you want to avoid is the "Oscar T. Flint". RJ likes that wreck for some reason, but its shallow, and basically a ship that burned to the water line. Not much to see but boards and rocks.

The Montana wasn't bad,

 

[DudleyNMU]

looks like we will being to going to alpena on the 4th of july weekend. Looking at hitting the MOnrovia and the E.B Allen... How is RJ are they good havent been with them guys sounds cool on the phone. Good diving everyone!