Bonson Rock
Why dive here
With 58+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, blue whales, humpback whales, orcas and seals & sea lions - Bonson Rock offers some of Alaska's richest wreck diving.
The 17 Fathom Wreck, or Wrack as it’s often called up here, is one of those Great Lakes dives that just sticks with you. We love it for its quiet majesty, a wooden schooner from the 1800s resting upright, almost perfectly preserved by the cold, fresh water. Dropping down, the visibility often extends far enough to see her mast reaching up, a ghostly finger pointing towards the surface. Our favourite part is exploring the deck, which is still remarkably intact. You can swim over open hatches and imagine the cargo she once carried. Look closely in the darker corners and you might spot a Slimy Sculpin or even a juvenile Lake Sturgeon, hunkered down, making the wreck their own. It’s not a dive for chasing flashy fish; it’s about the history, the silence, and the sheer scale of this sunken vessel. We’d suggest a strong dive light, not just for penetration (if you’re trained and comfortable), but to really bring out the details of the wood and the subtle colours of the algae growing on it. Expect chilly temperatures, even in summer, so a drysuit is definitely the play here. This wreck really suits divers who appreciate historical sites and the unique preservation offered by the Great Lakes.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Bonson Rock Wreck History
Vessel Type
schooner
Cause
unknown
Shrouded in mystery, the '17 Fathom Wreck' is a beautiful, unidentified two-masted schooner resting in the cold, clear depths of Lake Huron, near Tobermory, Ontario. Like so many vessels that plied the Great Lakes in the 19th and early 20th centuries, her name, cargo, and the story of her final voyage have been lost to history, likely claimed by one of the sudden, violent storms for which the lakes are infamous. She was discovered by sport divers, identified only by the depth at which she was found.
Thanks to the cold, fresh water, this wooden schooner is remarkably well-preserved. She sits upright on the lakebed at approximately 102 feet (31 meters), with her bowsprit still pointing forward as if sailing into the abyss. Divers can explore the intact hull, see the remaining deadeyes and railings, and imagine the vessel in her prime. The '17 Fathom Wreck' is a quintessential Great Lakes dive, offering a hauntingly beautiful and perfectly preserved window into the golden age of sail.
Reviews for Bonson Rock
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Bonson Rock
Bonson Rock Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Bonson Rock, sourced from NOAA buoy data - nearest station: Open-Meteo grid (55.23, -4) (0km away)
August Averages
Air Temperature
12.7°C
55°F
Wind Speed
5.31 m/s
10.3 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1012.9 hPa
Based on 5 years of monitoring data · Data sources: NOAA NDBC
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