HMS Ontario
Why dive here
HMS Ontario is a wreck dive in Ontario Great Lakes, Canada.
The HMS Ontario is a serious dive, full stop. We’re talking about one of the oldest shipwrecks in the Great Lakes, a British warship from 1780, and it lies way down deep. You won’t be dropping in here on a whim. This is for technical divers who appreciate history and understand the challenge of a deep, cold, dark environment. Once you get there, though, the Ontario is simply incredible. The ship is remarkably intact, sitting upright on the lakebed. We’ve seen the bowsprit still pointing forward, the mast stumps reaching up, and even some of the cannons still in place. It feels less like a wreck and more like a time capsule. The cold freshwater has preserved it all so well, you can almost hear the creak of timbers. Our favourite part has to be finning along the deck, imagining the sailors who walked those very planks centuries ago. Visibility can be excellent, though the ambient light fades fast at this depth, so good lights are essential. This isn't a dive for casual exploration; it’s a sombre, beautiful journey into the past.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
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