Shore dive in the Ottawa area

[TorontoDive]

Hi, I might be in the Ottawa area a few weekends from now and was looking for a nice easy shore dive for a novice diver. Hopefully within a 45-60 minute drive of Ottawa.

Any suggestions?

 

[Kevin R]

45 - 60 min puts you in the prescott area. The rothesay or Connestoga are great dives for novices. The Ottawa river is dark and disorienting for the unitiated.

 

[DI_Guy]

I agree with Kevin. The Ottawa River is not that great. The Connestoga is by Cardinal and its about 30 feet off shore in about 25-30 of water. No boat traffic usually. The current can be strong at times but its nice to let it take you along the wreck from bow to stern. You can park right there and jump in the water. Prescott is good too but there's not much to see. The Rothsay is ok also but the wreck has been hammered over the years. better yet, do all three dives.

If you need directions to the Connie, PM me.

DI_Guy

 

[electric_diver]

Rothesay, Connestoga are both excellent suggestions. Take a light for the Rothesay as many sunfish hide inside the boilers.

DI_Guy the Rothesay was hammered because the RMC military cadets practised demolitions on her in the early 1900's. There is still lots to see on her.

Adrian

 

[DI_Guy]

Rothesay, Connestoga are both excellent suggestions. Take a light for the Rothesay as many sunfish hide inside the boilers.

DI_Guy the Rothesay was hammered because the RMC military cadets practised demolitions on her in the early 1900's. There is still lots to see on her.

Adrian

Hi Adrian:

Yeah I knew about the military doing their demolition exercises on the Rothsay but I was thinking that maybe some local craft may have been dropping anchors accidentally on the wreck. It just seemed more busted up over that last year or so. Maybe not, it might just me.

DI_Guy

 

[TorontoDive]

Thanks for the replies guys, you're getting me ramped up for this Saturday. It looks like we'll be taking a dip and browsing the Rothesay.

I've got these directions from the net: "Rothesay lies at the west edge of Prescott, Ontario, south side of Highway #2. A park/picnic area and staircase to the river's edge leads you to a shore entry to follow the rope system to the site. "

But can anyone give me driving directions? It would be really helpful!

 

[TorontoDive]

Oops, some more Googling brought me to the SOS website which had these directions:
"The Rothesay, is located in the St. Lawrence River, west of Prescott. It is accessible both by land and by boat. Follow Highway 401 and take the Highway 18 Exit (#716) to Prescott. Turn west on King St. W (Highway 2) and follow for 1.75 Km until you reach Riverview Heights. There you will see a Historic Marker along the south side of the road commemorating Justus Sherwood. The adjoining grass strip can accommodate about a dozen cars. From the embankment you will see a buoy approximately 300 ft out, marking the actual wreck and a jug closer in that is the beginning of the line."

 

[DI_Guy]

TorontoDive

From Hwy #2 you will also see that the good folks of Pescott have put up wooden platforms with wooden barricades that act as a change booths. There ia are two Johny-on-the-Spot outhouses there too.. They have also constructed a steel staircase that will take you down to the waters edge.

Have fun ...

DI_Guy