Georgian Bay aboard the Dawnlight Liveaboard, June 15-20, 2007

We’ve found this trip to be the best value for your diving dollar on the Great Lakes!  The Dawnlight is a 70’ tugboat that’s completely designed for scuba diving, including an on-board compressor and nitrox fills!  We’ll board the boat in Tobermory, Ontario and spend the rest of the trip cruising the Tobermory area and North Channel enjoying some of the best diving in the Great Lakes (not to mention the best food!).  The itinerary depends on weather and the experience level of the group, but in the past we’ve dove wrecks like:  Niagara II, Arabia, Forest City, Philo Scoville, Wilma Ann, City of Cleveland, San Jacinto and the Emma Thompson.  The highlight of the trip is the opportunity to spend several days diving the North Wind.  The North Wind is a 299’ freighter lying in 80 to 120 feet.  She is very intact and there are many opportunities for penetration for those properly trained and equipped.  This trip is also a great way to complete course dives or take a specialty course while on board.  Please note that a valid passport is highly recommended for any trip to Canada, and will soon be required by law.  It may take several months to get a passport, so please apply for one well in advance of the trip.

Thousand  Islands Region of the St. Lawrence River, Brockville, Ontario, July 7-9, 2007

The Thousand Islands region of the St. Lawrence River is one of the most unique dive spots on the Great Lakes.  First of all, you never get blown out.  Since we’re diving on a river and not the open lake, there are no sizeable waves, even when the wind is blowing.  Also, the water is warmer in the river.  In early June, I’d expect the water to be between 55 and 60 degrees from top to bottom (that’s right, no thermoclines).  The Thousand Islands has always been a major sea lane, even before the construction of the official St. Lawrence Seaway.  There are wrecks from all periods in Great Lakes history in the river, at all depths.  There is excellent dive support in the area so don’t worry if you only have one set of doubles, you can get fills there. 

The Thousand Islands is also a major tourist destination for non-divers, so it’s a great place to bring the family.  While you’re diving, the family can take a boat tour of the Islands, visit Boldt Castle on Heart Island (yes, a real castle), go up in the skyview tower to get a bird’s eye view of the area or any number of other things.

This may be a long drive, but you’re virtually guaranteed that we’ll dive every dive; no cancellations because the waves are too big and no "feeding the fish" in rough weather.  Given the length of the drive, I’d suggest driving there Friday, diving Saturday, Sunday and Monday morning and driving home Monday afternoon.  However you may sign up to dive just the weekend if you like.  Please note there is current in the river.  It varies from almost nonexistent to fairly strong.  Some dives may be conducted as live boat drift dives.  Also please note that a passport is highly recommended for any trip to Canada, especially this one.  If we all have valid U.S. passports, we can dive wrecks on both sides of the river.  Otherwise we will only be able to dive wrecks on the Canadian side.  It may take several months to get a passport, so please apply for one well in advance of the trip.

Whitefish Point, Paradise Michigan, August 4-6, 2007

Whitefish Point is a crossroads in Lake Superior.  Marking the entrance to Whitefish Bay, ships struggling through heavy weather have breathed a sigh of relief when passing the lighthouse on the point and into safe haven.  Not all ships making for the safety of Whitefish Bay have made it.  Ships coming from, or heading to, the Soo Locks must also pass Whitefish Point.  As with any busy intersection, collisions are bound to occur.  So whether they were lost due to storm or collision, Whitefish Point has a large variety of wrecks to dive.  Wrecks in this area are deep and very intact.  Target wrecks for this trip include Samuel Mather, John M. Osborn, John B. Cowle and Vienna.

Trips are usually organized for the purpose of conducting student training dives.  Other divers may join the trip on a space-available basis.  Participants must meet certification and experience requirements.  If you’d like more information about these trips, contact me.