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I think Cherry Beach would fall within the Toronto Harbour and the Harbour Police jurisdiction.
 
A list of sites around Toronto is an excellent Idea. Does Humber Bay not get very cold? I was thinking that Cherry beach might be a good location to scout as the water temp tends to be warmer than spots that are more open to the lake proper. Not certain if it would be considered part of the Harbour or not. The Lifeguards that I spoke to seemed to think it would be okay to dive. I am planning a dive there in a couple of weeks to see what it looks like if anyone is interested.

Cold water = good vis!

Humber Bay is sitting around 50 degrees about now. That's wetsuit weather! In the winter it drops to the low 30's but you can get 60' of vis or more!
 
great insights so far. I know we are Never going to get WARM water in Toronto ...unless global warming Kicks it up a notch. Idealy I would love to train students in pool here in Toronto and then hop on a plane to the Keys but not everyone is going to want to take that option at least not in the summer. I have swam at Cherry and yes there is plenty of algae but the vis is not bad. The water is much warmer than the open lake such that I can swim without a wet suit. I know that Cherry often has the best water quality of the Toronto beaches. One of the reasons I avoid the Humber is the water quality and I would hate for a student to get sick on a training dive. Having used Gullivers I am sure that Cherry would be comparable if not better in terms of vis. I notice that there have not been any suggestions about pools in the downtown. Any ideas?
 
IMHO, if they're going to train here and in the future dive here, then they should do their certifying dives here in cold water. Remember that part about your certification being "for dives in conditions similar to your training". Certify in the Keys in warm water, great vis and then come back and put on a 7mm wetsuit, hood, thick gloves, a lot more lead, add 60 degree water and low vis. Great potential for injury.
 
Cherrie beach there's nothing there but sand and the occasional rip tide. Humber bay is the best choice for depth, clarity, safety and parking plus easy access. The Marine unit isn't interested in shore divers there more concerned about open water divers on the silago and other known wrecks in the outer harbor who's dive boats are moored in boat traffic areas and who require a Harbor Masters seasonal permit to dive on those wreck. There a pretty good bunch of guys if you play the game correctly.
 
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Cherrie beach there's nothing there but sand and the occasional rip tide. Humber bay is the best choice for depth, clarity, safety and parking plus easy access. The Marine unit isn't interested in shore divers there more concerned about open water divers on the silago and other known wrecks in the outer harbor who's dive boats are moored in boat traffic areas and who require a Harbor Masters seasonal permit to dive on those wreck. There a pretty good bunch of guys if you play the game correctly.

Im interested in more info on the wrecks like the silago and others in the area. How to get to them would be a good start, which charters take you there? Are they worth diving? Etc...
 
It seems to me that a great many Toronto area divers have already united.

Hart House Underwater Club
Etobicoke Underwater Club
Scarborough Underwater Club
Ontario Underwater Explorers
Canadian Sub Aqua - Thornhill
All of the above have access to a pool for confined water.
Hart House is in the core of the city, has pool access and availablity of rental equipment.

There are additional clubs in the area but I do not know what their pool access is but you could visit OUC for the club directory and take a look at the various websites
The clubs listed all have an active membership and a organised dive schedule.

Humber Bay Divers - An informal group of active enthusiasts who dive Humber Bay on a regular basis.

What is it that you are looking for that can not be provided by the above.
 
Im interested in more info on the wrecks like the silago and others in the area. How to get to them would be a good start, which charters take you there? Are they worth diving? Etc...
The Sligo is a nice dive. not too deep @ around 60 or so feet. As for charters, talk to Eric Cooper. He runs Aquaholic Dive Charters. his FB page is Aquaholic Dive Charters | Facebook fees are around $70/pp for a 2 dive trip, and his boat is pretty cool.. plus he is a hell of a nice guy
 
You need a permit from the harbor masters office that is presented to the marine unit at the begining of the summer so they have your business operation on file for that season The police just want to know who is there and when and that you have a safe dive. Shore diving like swiming does not require a permit but for safety reasons drag a flag there are plenty of ignorant jet and speed boaters out there who are blind.
 
I checked out the facebook page, thanks pal. Wish he had more pics of his charter boat. Looks small and not easy to get in and out of.
 

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