Diving in Ontario Great Lakes
Why dive here
Ontario Great Lakes offers 44 dive sites in Canada.
Forget the tropics for a minute. We love the Ontario Great Lakes for a completely different flavour of diving, one steeped in history and an almost eerie tranquility. It’s cold water, sure, but slip into a drysuit and you’re transported to a freshwater graveyard of forgotten ships. Fathom Five National Marine Park is our pick, with over twenty historic wrecks lying in shockingly clear water. You’ll fin past perfectly preserved masts, rudders, and even cargo, feeling the chill of depths that keep these vessels almost perfectly intact. The visibility here, especially outside of stirred-up summer weekends, often pushes 20 metres or more. We've often seen schools of yellow perch darting through the skeletal remains of schooners. We’d suggest going in late spring or early autumn; the surface conditions are calmer, and you beat the peak tourist crowds. Look out for the resident lake sturgeon gliding slowly over the silty bottom - they’re magnificent. It's not about colourful corals, it’s about the silent stories these wrecks tell. Just remember your hood and gloves; it’s freshwater, but it’s still Canada!
Ontario Great Lakes Dive Site Map
Dive sites and dive centres in Ontario Great Lakes
Ontario Great Lakes Dive Sites
44 dive sites in Ontario Great Lakes
Betty Hedger
The Betty Hedger wreck rests at 35 metres in the Great Lakes, an intermediate dive that's definitely on the chillier side. This tugboat is mostly intact, offering good penetration opportunities for trained wreck divers. Expect reduced visibility compared to tropical sites, but the cold freshwater preserves the wreck well. It’s a solid choice for those looking to add a freshwater wreck to their logbook.
Brampton Scuba Instruction
Brampton Scuba Instruction is a straightforward spot in the Ontario Great Lakes, ideal for getting back in the water or for initial training dives. You'll likely encounter common freshwater species like pumpkinseed and white suckers, with a chance to spot rainbow trout or even salmon depending on the season. It’s a good, accessible option for local divers looking for consistent conditions without a long journey.
Chippawa Creek Drift Dive
The Chippawa Creek Drift Dive offers a unique freshwater experience in Ontario. You'll move with the gentle current, observing the local riverbed ecosystem unfold. It's a relaxed dive, quite different from ocean dives, and we'd suggest it for divers looking for something a bit out of the ordinary, perhaps on a warmer summer day. Visibility can vary, so check local conditions.
Chippawa Creek Site 1
Chippawa Creek Site 1 offers a freshwater dive for those exploring Ontario's inland sites. We've found it to be a gentle entry point, often used for training or a relaxed afternoon dip. Expect to see some local fish, maybe a snapping turtle if you're lucky, and the occasional lost fishing lure. It’s a good spot for newer divers or for getting the rust off your gear at the start of the season.
Confederation Wreck
The *Confederation* wreck, tucked away in the cold embrace of the Ontario Great Lakes, isn't just another dive. This isn't your average coral reef drift, that's for sure. What we love about this site is the sheer history of it, the way the freighter sits, mostly intact, on the silty bottom. You can swim down into the cargo hold, feeling the temperature drop a few degrees as you pass through the deck, then explore the pilot house. Sunlight filters green and muted through the lake water, catching on the rust and the occasional curious perch or crayfish darting between the beams. Our favourite time to dive the *Confederation* is late summer, when the thermocline isn't quite so biting and the visibility, while never tropical, can stretch to a decent 15 meters. It’s perfect for divers who appreciate the quiet, almost reverent feel of a historical site and aren't afraid of a bit of chill. We'd suggest a drysuit, even in August, and good buoyancy control to avoid stirring up the fine silt. Keep an eye out for the resident burbot lurking in the shadows; they're surprisingly big.
Dean Richmond wreck
The Dean Richmond, sitting upright in 30 meters of cold Lake Ontario water, is a wreck dive that really delivers. We love the way she’s so intact, almost as if she just settled down there yesterday. You'll descend onto a cargo steamer frozen in time, with her mast still reaching skyward, covered in quagga mussels. The visibility here can be surprisingly good, often 15 meters or more, letting you take in the entire silhouette from above. Our favourite part is exploring the stern; the rudder and propeller are still in place, inviting exploration. Penetration is possible for trained wreck divers into the cargo holds, where you can imagine the lumber she once carried. Look for the resident lake trout that cruise the decks, sometimes darting into the shadows. This isn't a dive for those seeking colourful coral, but for wreck enthusiasts, it’s a brilliant example of Great Lakes history preserved by the cold, dark water. We’d suggest a drysuit and a good dive light to really appreciate the details here.
Dolime/Glenchristie Quarry
Dolime/Glenchristie Quarry, out in the Ontario Great Lakes region, is a solid spot for getting your fins wet, especially if you’re new to this whole diving thing. It’s pretty shallow, topping out around 13 metres, which means plenty of bottom time to just relax and practice. You won't find colourful reef fish here, but we've often spotted largemouth bass cruising the ledges, and the odd pike lurks in the greener patches. It’s a comfortable, easygoing dive, perfect for skills practice or a chilled-out afternoon with a buddy.
Etobicoke
Etobicoke is a shallow shore dive, reaching a maximum depth of 9m, making it suitable for newer divers or those looking for an easy entry. The main draw here is usually the chance to practice skills or just get wet. You won't find much in the way of coral or fish, but it’s a calm spot to test new gear or get comfortable in colder water.
Frank E Vigor Wreck
The Frank E. Vigor is a proper Great Lakes wreck, the kind you really have to earn. It sits deep, and we’re talking dark, cold, Ontario deep, so drysuits and proper cold-water regs are non-negotiable. What we love about the Vigor isn't just its intact structure, but the story it tells. You descend into that freshwater gloom, and suddenly this massive freighter materializes, its wooden hull still largely together after all these years. We typically start our exploration around the bow, where the anchor chains spill out into the silt. The cabins are mostly collapsed, but you can still make out the general layout, imagining the crew going about their day. Our favourite part is lingering over the cargo holds, sometimes spotting burbot or even a massive lake sturgeon cruising through the interior. Visibility here can be tricky, often settling around 5-10 meters, so a good dive light is essential for piercing the shadows and really appreciating the scale of the Vigor. It’s a dive for experienced wreck enthusiasts who don't mind the chill and appreciate a piece of history preserved by the cold, dark freshwater.
Gallagher Beach
Gallagher Beach in the Ontario Great Lakes is a solid choice for a casual shore dive, especially if you’re new to cold water or shaking off some rust. At a shallow 6 meters, it’s a perfect spot for buoyancy practice or testing out new gear without feeling rushed. We often spot smallmouth bass cruising the rocks and various aquatic plants swaying gently. It’s not going to blow your mind with dramatic topography, but for a relaxed afternoon dip and easy access, it absolutely delivers.
George Worthington Wreck
There are wrecks, and then there are *wrecks*. The George Worthington, sitting upright on the lakebed, falls firmly into the latter category. For us, it’s one of the Great Lakes’ true standout experiences, especially if you appreciate a good story and the chilling silence of deep freshwater. The hull is still remarkably intact, a ghostly silhouette emerging from the gloom, often with visibility reaching a respectable 15 metres on a good day. We’ve seen lake trout finning lazily through the cargo hold, and the occasional burbot peeking from a porthole. This isn’t a colourful reef dive; it’s an exploration of history, a cold, dark museum where zebra mussels have become the primary "coral" coating every rivet and plank. Our favourite part has always been the bow, where the anchor chain still dangles dramatically. It’s a photographer's dream if you can manage your buoyancy and lighting in the often-chilly thermoclines. We’d suggest a drysuit, even in summer, and be prepared for strong currents that can occasionally sweep through, making advanced certification a must. This wreck truly suits divers who love penetration and uncovering the secrets of a bygone era.
Gladstone
The Gladstone offers a glimpse into the Great Lakes' shipping history. We’re talking about a tugboat wreck, sitting upright and mostly intact on the lakebed. It’s a straightforward dive, well-suited for those newer to wreck diving or anyone looking for an easy penetration. Visibility can vary, but on a good day, you get decent views of the wheelhouse and deck details.
Ontario Great Lakes Dive Centres
23 dive shops and operators in Ontario Great Lakes
Ontario Great Lakes Daylight & Sunrise/Sunset
Sunrise and sunset times for Ontario Great Lakes, calculated from coordinates
Today - Monday 24 August
Sunrise
05:36
Sunset
19:12
Daylight
13h 36m
Golden Hour
18:34
First light (dawn) at 05:06 · Last light (dusk) at 19:42
Monthly Averages
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 07:50 | 17:11 | 9h 21m |
| Feb | 07:20 | 17:51 | 10h 31m |
| Mar | 06:35 | 18:26 | 11h 51m |
| Apr | 05:41 | 19:01 | 13h 20m |
| May | 05:00 | 19:36 | 14h 36m |
| JunLongest | 04:42 | 20:01 | 15h 19m |
| Jul | 04:55 | 19:59 | 15h 4m |
| AugNow | 05:26 | 19:26 | 13h 59m |
| Sep | 06:00 | 18:34 | 12h 34m |
| Oct | 06:33 | 17:41 | 11h 8m |
| Nov | 07:12 | 17:00 | 9h 48m |
| DecShortest | 07:44 | 16:48 | 9h 3m |
Times are approximate local times based on longitude. Actual times may vary slightly depending on the exact timezone observed in Ontario Great Lakes.
Where to Stay near Ontario Great Lakes
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Marine Protected Areas near Ontario Great Lakes
907 protected areas near Ontario Great Lakes - please respect local regulations when diving
Tuvaijuittuq Marine Protected Area
Tang.ɢ̲wan - ḥačxʷiqak - Tsig̱is Marine Protected Area
Northeast Newfoundland Slope Closure
Eastern Canyons Marine Refuge
Hatton Basin Marine Refuge
Davis Strait Marine Refuge
Hopedale Saddle Closure
Laurentian Channel Marine Protected Area
Scott Islands Marine National Wildlife Area
Division 3O Coral closure
Western and Emerald Banks Marine Refuge
Hawke Channel Closure
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