Lake Superior offers some of the best fresh water diving in the United States. It is clear, clean, varied, and cold. Because the lake is so cold, shipwrecks and other artifacts last considerably longer than their warm saltwater brethren. Michigan has one of the most extensive underwater preserve and park systems in the world. Founded in 1980, it is visited by thousands of divers annually. Because it is a felony to remove or disturb artifacts in these areas, divers can find ceramic cups, lamps, pottery, and many other artifacts littering a wreck site! The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is home to many of these wrecks. A popular hiking and diving area, the best known town in the area is Munising. This is where you'll find the dive charter operations, hotels, and restaurants. Apart from the shipwrecks that rest here because of storms, fire, and collision, there are also new wrecks placed there especially with divers in mind! Another popular attraction are the "sea caves" at pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Located less than 20 feet deep, these sandstone caves are home to numerous fish and are great for photos and video.
Beginner and advanced divers can all find interesting and enjoyable dives in the area. I'll never forget my first dive. The wreck was 45 feet down - and we could see it from the boat! It was like being in the Bahamas (only I was wearing a dry suit.) The parents of a friend of mine (Mike, shown here) live in Munising, so we stayed with them on this trip. There are several charter boats that service the area, as well as a lot of shore diving. In my opinion the boat diving is the best! I have been diving here three different weekends over the past several years, and look forward to diving there again! For information contact Michigan Underwater Preserve Council, Inc. at 560 N. State St., St. Ignace, MI 49781 or Alger County Chamber of Commerce, P.O.Box 139, Munising, MI 49862. Richard C. Drew started diving in 1973 and has been teaching scuba
diving since 1978. |
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