Arabia (Wreck) - Québec

The Arabia wreck in the St. Lawrence River isn't your typical coral-encrusted tropical dive, and that's precisely why we love it. This isn't a bright, colourful spectacle, but a deep dive into history, a genuinely atmospheric experience. Dropping down to 34 metres, the cold embrace of the freshwater wraps around you, and the sheer scale of the Arabia starts to emerge from the gloom. She’s a paddle wheeler that sank in 1884, and the low visibility often found here only adds to the sense of discovery. You fin along her massive hull, the timbers dark and imposing. We always get a thrill out of seeing the paddle wheels, still largely intact, a testament to a bygone era. Look closely and you'll spot freshwater inhabitants: golden shiners darting through gaps, yellow perch peering from behind broken bulkheads, and occasionally a pike, a silent hunter perfectly camouflaged against the aged wood. Our favourite moments are lingering around the stern, imagining the life she once carried. This is a dive for those who appreciate maritime history and the unique challenges of cold, deep freshwater wreck diving. It’s a compelling peek into Canada's past, softened and colonised by the present.

Location
Québec, Canada, North America
Coordinates
45.311880, -81.674060
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
34m

Wreck History - Arabia (Wreck)

Year Sunk
1884
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
storm
Tonnage
437 tons

The Arabia was a 131-foot, three-masted barque built in 1853 to transport cargo across the Great Lakes. For over 30 years, she reliably carried goods like corn and wheat between bustling port cities. Her final voyage began in the autumn of 1884, when she departed Chicago with a heavy load of corn bound for Midland, Ontario. On the journey across Lake Huron, a powerful storm descended, and the heavily laden ship began taking on water. Despite the crew's frantic efforts at the pumps, the Arabia was overwhelmed by the waves and sank off Echo Island on October 5, 1884.

Today, the Arabia is considered one of the most spectacular and well-preserved shipwrecks in the Great Lakes. She rests perfectly upright in 34 meters (110 feet) of cold, clear water within the Fathom Five National Marine Park near Tobermory. The frigid freshwater has preserved her wooden hull and many features in astonishing detail. Divers can glide past her towering bowsprit, see deadeyes still attached to the railings, and marvel at the ship's wheel and anchors, all in place as if she had just sunk. Due to the depth and temperature, this is an advanced dive, but it offers an unforgettable window into 19th-century maritime life.

Nearby Dive Sites in Québec

Nearest Dive Centres to Arabia (Wreck)

Marine Life in Québec

Home to 44 recorded species including 37 reef fish, 3 sea snails & nudibranchs, 2 other, 2 clams & mussels.

Notable Species