Explore the Great Lakes

Diving in The Great Lakes presents a unique and adventurous experience for divers looking to explore beyond tropical waters. These five immense lakes—Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Superior, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario—are renowned for their crystal-clear waters and an impressive collection of preserved shipwrecks. Unlike the typical saltwater dives, the freshwater environment of The Great Lakes offers a fascinating journey into maritime history. Divers can explore wrecks dating back to the 1800s, including wooden schooners and steel freighters, preserved by the cold, fresh waters. Lake Michigan and Lake Huron are particularly notable for their wreck diving opportunities, with many sites accessible within recreational diving depths, though a Deep Diver certification is recommended for deeper exploration. The cold water necessitates the use of a drysuit, but the reward is exceptional visibility and a chance to encounter unique freshwater species. The Great Lakes offer divers a distinctive blend of history, adventure, and natural beauty, providing a freshwater diving experience unlike any other.

Upcoming Events

Diver Level Programs / Courses

Buffalo Scuba LLC

React Right - Course Combination (FA, CPR, AED, O2)

20 Nov 2025

React Right is SSI’s emergency first response course and provides you with the training and knowledge you need to act as a first responder in a medical emergency. In this flexible dive program, you can choose which subjects you want to learn about, including primary assessment, first aid, CPR and primary stabilization techniques. You can also learn about oxygen administration in diving emergencies and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) basics. Using a combination of academic sessions and practical training scenarios, this program will give you the tools and confidence you need for emergency response. By the time you are certified, you will be able to act as an emergency first responder, provide first aid and CPR, administer oxygen and provide AED support in a medical emergency. Earn your SSI React Right specialty certification. Get started today!

Top Dive Sites Map

★★★★☆ St. Pete (Wreck)

One of Lake Ontario’s most impressive shipwrecks, the St. Peter is located east of Pultneyville, NY.This 135-foot, three-masted schooner rests upright and intact in 117 feet of water.

31
Logs
16
Divers
24.0 m
⌀ Depth
4.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Scubapro

★★★★☆ THE STRAITS OF MACKINAC

The 196-foot/60m-long steel car and passenger ferry The Straits of Mackinac, was scuttled in 78 feet/24m of water, April 10, 2003. The ship is located approximately 10 miles north of Navy Pier.

130
Logs
40
Divers
23.0 m
⌀ Depth
10.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Janez Kranjc

★★★★☆ Indiana Wreck

The Indiana lies upright in 90 feet of water, with her stone cargo above and below decks, just as it was loaded. Her masts are down and her bow broken. Her anchors can be found among the bow wreckage.

19
Logs
11
Divers
16.0 m
⌀ Depth
8.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Aqualung

★★★★☆ Dean Richmond wreck

She lies today in 115’ of water off North East , PA. The ship is inverted but intact except for a hole used by the salvors for penetration. One of the propellers remains, the other has been removed.

9
Logs
7
Divers
30.0 m
⌀ Depth
11.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ John J Boland

Thermocline Dive. Thermocline is typically at 55’. She’s lying on her starboard side in 130 feet of water, rising 40 feet of the bottom. Bring dive lights.

17
Logs
10
Divers
35.0 m
⌀ Depth
7.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Janez Kranjc

★★★★☆ Betty Hedger

The remains of the Betty Hedger lie in 115’ of water, with mounds of sulfur cargo still in place. Much of the decking and sides are gone, leaving the massive framing structure exposed. There is a small pilothouse complete with portholes, a small winch, an anchor and other items visible.

4
Logs
2
Divers
35.0 m
⌀ Depth
10.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Aqualung

★★★★☆ Gallagher Beach

This is best done as a shore entry dive. There is a swimmers section marked and Jet skis are abundant on the weekends. Be careful at this location - the whole place gets overgrown by tall thick weeds in late July - September.

18
Logs
7
Divers
6.0 m
⌀ Depth
3.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Aqualung

★★★★☆ W C Richardson (Wreck)

Boat dive. WC Richardson is broken up iron freighter that rests at 35-feet. Main guide line extends over 400-feet along wreck. No float & flag as wreck site is in shipping channel. Anchor dive boat on shipping channel boarder. Connect tag-line from accent/decent anchor line to main guide line.

11
Logs
7
Divers
12.0 m
⌀ Depth
6.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Aqualung

★★★★★ Prins Willem V

The Prins Willew V is a 258ft/78m freighter sitting in about 70ft/21m of water. Built in 1948, it sank in 1954 with a cargo of Hides, outboard motors, tv tubes, aluminum kitchen ware, horsetail hair, hog casings, printing press, machine tool parts, canned fish, fruit milk and vegetables. Plus many other items.

71
Logs
33
Divers
26.0 m
⌀ Depth
11.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Janez Kranjc

★★★★☆ Lake Ontario Pipeline

Lake Ontario borders Canada and is the 13th largest lake in the world. The water is fairly cold, especially in the winter so you’ll want a thick wetsuit or drysuit for diving here.

184
Logs
51
Divers
12.0 m
⌀ Depth
6.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Janez Kranjc

★★★★★ US Coast Guard Boat 56022

The US Coast Guard Boat 56022 sank in a storm on December 1, 1977. The boat was located by shipwreck explorers, Jim Kennard and Dan Scoville. While on route from Oswego to Niagara, the 56-foot Coast Guard cable boat experienced 6-foot waves and winds of 50 mph as it approached Nine Mile Point on Lake Ontario.

2
Logs
2
Divers
22.0 m
⌀ Depth
4.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ The Madeira (Wreck)

The deck plates of this wreck sits at 15ft-30ft, the main wreck is at 40ft-130+ft depth and the pilothouse is at 75-80ft. There is a drop-off to the Eastern wall that goes beyond 300ft. The Madeira sank November 28, 1905. It has a total length of 436 ft (133 m) and the beam is at 50 ft (15 m).

231
Logs
112
Divers
22.0 m
⌀ Depth
10.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ Seagull Cove

15-135ft Old river bed? Center rock chute with side shallow box canyons to the east. Large drop off to the east as well.Center rock/sand chute has 40+ old barrels (old school batteries ?) and about a dozen square lead acid batteries, possible from old materials disposed of from island’s light beacon.

20
Logs
7
Divers
15.0 m
⌀ Depth
2.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Aqualung

★★★★☆ SS Hesper (Wreck)

The SS Hesper sits 40ft-50ft out from the Silver Bay marina breakwater wall. Two sections of the wreck are about 30 feet from each other with scattered wreckage. The rudder is just south of the underwater mooring block. This wreck sank on 4 May 1905.

100
Logs
45
Divers
13.0 m
⌀ Depth
7.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Janez Kranjc

★★★★☆ Black Sand Beach

0-80+ ft wall on island, then further drop-off out in the lake.Black sands are iron ore tailingsAncient underwater river bed and 4 billion year old lava flows

12
Logs
11
Divers
20.0 m
⌀ Depth
10.0 m
⌀ Visibility

Diving in The Great Lakes

The Great Lakes, a haven for diving enthusiasts, boast numerous dive sites rich in history and natural beauty. Lake Superior is home to the famous wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, drawing divers interested in maritime history. Meanwhile, Lake Huron's Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary offers a plethora of shipwrecks with exceptional visibility, providing a captivating glimpse into the past.

Shore diving is prevalent along the coastlines of Lakes Michigan and Erie, where divers can explore diverse underwater landscapes, from rocky formations to sandy habitats. Night dives in these lakes reveal the fascinating behaviors of nocturnal aquatic life, adding a touch of adventure. With options for both shore and liveaboard diving, the Great Lakes cater to divers of all experience levels, promising a varied and enriching experience.

The Top Months to dive in The Great Lakes

Diving in the Great Lakes offers unique experiences throughout the year. In summer, water temperatures range from 15°C–25°C/59°F–77°F, providing comfortable diving conditions. Visibility is generally good, often reaching up to 30 meters/98 feet, especially in Lake Superior and Lake Huron. The best months for diving are late spring to early fall, when water conditions are most stable.

In winter, temperatures drop significantly, leading to ice cover and reduced accessibility. Water temperatures can plummet to 0°C–4°C/32°F–39°F, and visibility may be hindered by sediment movement and ice. During colder months, diving may be restricted due to ice cover, making it essential to plan visits between May and September for optimal conditions.

Statistics

Historical data and trends

Dive Activity & Environmental Conditions

Centers Map

Buffalo Scuba LLC

5777 Camp Rd, 14075 Hamburg, NY - USA

Great Lakes Diver, Inc.

34740 S Gratiot, 48035 Clinton Township, MI - USA

RU4Scuba LLC

3377 Lake Rd, 14589 Williamson, NY - USA

Chicago Freediving

1845 N.Leclaire ave, 60639 Chicago, IL - USA

Great Lakes Diving Center

652 S Pier DR, 53081 Sheboygan, WI - USA

Phoenix Scuba of Buffalo

2198 South Park Avenue, 14220 Buffalo, NY - USA