© iStock/FredericProchasson Diving the Great Lakes Five large lakes make up “The Great Lakes”: Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Superior, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario. Local divers will tell you with full confidence that The Great Lakes are among the best dive sites in the world, even if they are not world-famous for it. When you think of diving, you probably think of warm, salty water, tropical fish, sharks, and coral, but in this region, you will find a more adventurous setting with crystal clear water, unique fish, and the most well preserved, amazing wreck diving in the world. Some of the wrecks of these lakes date back to the 1800s and have been preserved by the cold, freshwater water of The Great Lakes. You can expect to find wooden schooners, steel freighters, steamships, barges, and even luxury yachts. A fair number of wrecks sit within the recreational depth limit; however, a vast majority of them are located even deeper; this is why a minimum of a Deep Diver certification is strongly recommended. The majority of these amazing wrecks are located in Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. Make sure you bring your drysuit since only cold water diving can be made here. Diving in The Great Lakes is a unique adventure with some of the most captivating sights you will find. Featured places to go in The Great Lakes © AqualungLake SuperiorYou will find many dive sites in Lake Superior called the “graveyard of the Great Lakes“ due to the large number of shipwrecks.Learn more © MaresLake MichiganLake Michigan is popular for its wreck diving. So much that it now has multiple underwater preserves, which help protect the shipwrecks.Learn more © MaresLake HuronThe most popular place to dive in Lake Huron is Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, also known as shipwreck alley, having more than 100 shipwrecks.Learn more © MaresLake ErieThe shallowest, and warmest of all the Great Lakes is Lake Erie and the perfect spot for divers of all experience levels.Learn more © MaresLake OntarioLake Ontario has hundreds of dive sites scattered throughout all the area including amazing shipwrecks, wall dives and shore dives.Learn more Dive Sites in The Great Lakes Discover the Wonders of the Deep with SSI's Blog Join us on an exciting journey of discovery and learn more about exhilarating diving adventures, dedicated conservation initiatives, and innovative educational opportunities that will help you illuminate the extraordinary beauty of the underwater world. Let's explore the underwater world together and delve into the hidden wonders beneath the gentle waves. The descriptions provided here are intended as general information and personal experiences related to specific dive sites and locations and should not be construed as definitive advice or recommendations. Before diving, please confirm that diving is permitted at your chosen location, and comply with all relevant local laws, regulations, and posted signage. The responsibility for verifying the legality of the dive and assessing any associated risks rests entirely with you.