Car Bodies
Why dive here
Car Bodies lies in a species-rich stretch of Great Lakes, with 30+ marine species recorded in the area.
So, the "Car Bodies" site, right? Sounds a bit grim, but trust us, it’s got a weird charm. It's essentially an underwater junkyard, a pile of old cars dumped decades ago, and it makes for a genuinely unusual dive. We love that it's a departure from your typical reef; the structure here is entirely man-made, and nature has just taken over. You'll weave through rusted chassis, past steering wheels long since fused with the lakebed, and peer into empty engine blocks now home to crayfish. It’s a great spot for macro photographers, honestly, because every surface is encrusted with sponges and hydroids, drawing in smaller fish like gobies. Our favourite part is spotting the pike lurking amongst the seats, camouflaged and still. This isn't a deep dive, making it accessible for newer divers wanting to try something a bit different, a bit eerie, but undeniably cool. Just watch your buoyancy; kicking up silt here is easily done and ruins the visibility for everyone.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Car Bodies Wreck History
Vessel Type
unknown
Cause
unknown
While the Great Lakes are legendary for their historic and majestic shipwrecks, the 'Car Bodies' dive site offers a distinctly different and wonderfully quirky underwater experience. Located in the clear waters of the Straits of Mackinac, this site is not a ship, but an underwater pile-up of vintage 1950s automobiles. The exact origin of this submerged junkyard is shrouded in local lore; some stories claim the cars were lost when a transport barge foundered in bad weather, while others suggest they were simply dumped decades ago. Regardless of their story, they now form a unique and fascinating artificial reef. Divers can glide over the classic, rounded frames and chrome details of these automotive relics, which now provide a complex habitat for rock bass, sculpin, and other lake dwellers. It's a surreal dive that feels like a journey through a submerged time capsule.
Reviews for Car Bodies
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Car Bodies
Car Bodies Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Car Bodies, sourced from NOAA buoy data - nearest station: South Haven Light, South Haven, MI (20km away)
August Averages
Air Temperature
21.5°C
71°F
Wind Speed
4.3 m/s
8.4 knots
Based on 5 years of monitoring data · Data sources: NOAA NDBC
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