Top 10 Shipwreck Dives in the Great Lakes

Explore the top 10 shipwreck dive sites in the Great Lakes, from beginner-friendly shallow wrecks to dramatic steel freighters, and learn what makes each site unique for divers.

SCUBA DIVING IN EXCITING DESTINATIONS

12/11/20253 min read

Top 10 Shipwreck Dives in the Great Lakes

  1. The Bermuda (Lake Superior, Alger Underwater Preserve)
    This 136-foot wooden schooner sank in 1870 and lies in just 30 feet of crystal-clear water—making it a perfect site for beginners. You can swim through open hatches and observe the entire length of the intact hull.

  2. Sandusky (Lake Michigan, Straits of Mackinac Preserve)
    An upright, two‑masted brig built in 1848, the Sandusky rests at about 85 feet. It still displays its bowsprit, windlass and anchors, and even a replica figurehead.

  3. William Young (Lake Huron, Straits of Mackinac Preserve)
    This schooner-barge sunk in 1891 and is mostly intact at 120 feet. Coal still fills its holds and divers can explore swim-throughs past spilled chains, anchors, and a historic wooden wheel.

  4. Minneapolis (Lake Michigan, Straits preserve)
    Resting at 124 feet beneath the Mackinac Bridge, this tall steamer’s engine, boilers, propeller and rudder are visible. Expect strong currents but a rewarding exploration.

  5. Cedarville (Lake Huron)
    One of the Great Lakes’ largest wrecks, this freighter sank in 1965 and still sits upright and intact. Divers can explore the smokestack and machinery parts—perfect for technical-level divers.

  6. Montana (Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary)
    A sidewheel steamer lost in 1914, this 235-foot vessel sits at 66 feet. It features a tall engine and propeller and is a favorite among intermediate divers.

  7. Norman (Thunder Bay Sanctuary)
    At 210 feet, this wreck is deep and dramatic: the steel freighter broke in two in 1895. Divers can see a forward deck house, a collapsed engine room and a detached lifeboat.

  8. John Mitchell (Whitefish Point Preserve, Lake Superior)
    The 191-foot John Mitchell lies upside down in 140–150 feet of water. The engine room, cabins and steering quadrant are accessible. A mooring line may mark the site.

  9. Chester A. Congdon (Isle Royale area, Lake Superior)
    This massive freighter broke in two in 1918. It lies fragmented from 60 to over 200 feet deep. Divers can swim through the bow and stern sections separately.

  10. Walter L. Frost (Manitou Passage Preserve)
    A wooden steamer from 1903 resting in 10–30 feet of water near South Manitou Island. Parts of her hull, boilers and engine remain. Easy access makes this site ideal for historical exploration.

Dive Planning Tips for the Great Lakes

  • Visibility is often excellent—some sites exceed 80 feet visibility thanks to cold, fresh water.

  • Many wrecks require dry suit or 7 mm wetsuit, especially deeper Cold Superior dives. Technical certification may be needed for depths beyond 130 feet.

  • Prime diving months are late May through September, when the lakes tend to be calmer and surface water temperatures are at their warmest.

  • Before your trip, check in with local charter operators and preserve guides for up‑to‑date details on conditions, mooring locations, and any access requirements for the wrecks.

Wrecks of the Great Lakes: A Glimpse Beneath the Surface

Below are a few images of iconic wrecks found in Lake Huron’s Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. These photos, courtesy of NOAA, showcase the incredible preservation of wooden schooners, steel freighters, and steamers resting beneath the surface. They offer just a glimpse of the fascinating history that divers can experience firsthand on these world‑class wreck dives.

Happy and safe diving,
The ScubaBlast Team


Michigan Underwater Preserves Council. (n.d.). Straits of Mackinac Preserve dive sites: Sandusky, William Young, Minneapolis. Retrieved from official preserve resources

Scuba Diving Magazine. (n.d.). Cris Kohl’s Top Michigan dive site picks: Bermuda, Mary Alice B. Retrieved from https://www.scubadiving.com

Just Gotta Dive. (n.d.). Michigan’s Great Lakes: a technical diving mecca listing deep wrecks like H.C. Akeley and others. Retrieved from JGD article

Visit the USA. (n.d.). Top Great Lakes shipwreck dives: Bermuda, Nordmeer, Sport. Retrieved from visittheusa.com

MichiganDriveandDive.com. (n.d.). Most fascinating wrecks of northern Michigan: Cedarville, William Barnum. Retrieved from St. Ignace dive guide

NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. (2025). Norman & Montana: shipwreck history and location. Retrieved from official NOAA sanctuary resources

AP News. (2023). Discovery of Ironton wreck underscores preservation in cold fresh water. Retrieved from AP insights in Thunder Bay region

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