Shades Beach Park in the Buffalo Harbor and Niagara River area offers a shallow freshwater reef experience suitable for beginners. Snorkellers can explore a natural sandbar and cobble substrate extending approximately 15 metres from the shore. Depths range from 1 to 5 metres, with an average of 3 metres. Conditions vary significantly, with visibility between 2 and 8 metres and mild currents. Water temperatures fluctuate from 1C to 23C, necessitating appropriate thermal protection outside of summer. Hazards include surf, rip currents, and low visibility. The site provides convenient facilities including parking, toilets, showers, and a rinse station. The habitat supports various temperate freshwater fish and invertebrates typical of the region.

Shorewood Beach, located within Buffalo Harbor and Niagara River, offers a freshwater snorkelling experience suitable for beginners. The site features a shoreline composed of sand and pebbles, leading into depths ranging from 1 to 5 metres, with an average depth of 3 metres. Snorkellers should be prepared for moderate currents and visibility that typically fluctuates between 1 and 5 metres. Water temperatures vary significantly throughout the year, ranging from 1C in winter to 23C in August. Due to the nature of this freshwater environment, users should be aware of potential hazards including cold water, low visibility, and rip currents.

Avonia Beach is a freshwater shore dive located where Trout Run empties into Lake Erie. The site features a rocky beach topography and seagrass beds, offering visibility that often exceeds that of nearby sandy areas. Divers can explore the area near the stream mouth, where fish frequently congregate. Conditions are generally suitable for beginners, though currents are typically mild. Water temperatures fluctuate significantly throughout the year, ranging from 1°C in winter to 24°C in August. Divers should remain aware of potential hazards, including boat traffic and entanglement risks. Parking is available on-site, and guided tours are offered for those seeking assistance.

Freeport Beach features a large water intake pipe that functions as an artificial reef within the Buffalo Harbor and Niagara River area. This structure provides a distinct underwater landscape compared to the surrounding sandy lakebed. The site is accessible from the shore and is suitable for intermediate divers and snorkellers. Depths range from 1 to 6 metres, with an average of 5 metres. Conditions vary, with visibility typically between 6 and 18 metres. Divers should be aware of moderate currents, potential rip currents, and surf. Water temperatures fluctuate significantly throughout the year, ranging from 1 to 21 degrees Celsius. Night diving is permitted at this location.

Trade Wind Wreck is a deep freshwater shipwreck located 18.5 kilometres offshore in Lake Erie. This advanced dive site features a wreck resting at depths ranging from 6 to 37 metres, with an average depth of 37 metres. Access is strictly by boat. Divers should be prepared for challenging conditions, including cold water temperatures that can drop to 5 degrees Celsius at the bottom, and visibility that fluctuates between 5 and 18 metres. Due to the depth and the nature of the structure, potential hazards include entanglement and low visibility. This site is suitable only for experienced divers with appropriate training for deep, cold-water wreck penetration.

The Atlantic is a deep-water wreck located 4828 metres offshore in Lake Erie, resting at depths between 41 and 50 metres. This site is strictly for advanced divers, requiring wreck certification and precise buoyancy control. The wreck structure offers an overhead environment with associated entanglement risks. Visibility is highly variable, ranging from 3 to 18 metres. Divers must contend with mild currents and significant thermal challenges, as bottom temperatures often remain between 3 and 10 degrees Celsius even during summer months. A drysuit with appropriate undergarments is essential for this 40-minute dive. Access is exclusively by boat, and divers should confirm operator availability locally before planning.

The Pascal P. Pratt is a shipwreck located in the Niagara Peninsula of Lake Erie, serving as an artificial reef. The site sits at depths ranging from 6 to 30 metres, with some areas reaching 45 metres. Divers access the wreck by boat, encountering mild currents and visibility between 5 and 15 metres. Due to the depth and potential for entanglement, this site is suited for intermediate divers with appropriate overhead-environment training. Water temperatures fluctuate significantly throughout the year, ranging from 1 to 23 degrees Celsius, necessitating careful thermal planning. Always monitor your depth and remain close to the boat entry point during your dive.

Bluff Bar is a remote sandbar located in the Outer Bay of the Great Lakes, Ontario. This freshwater site features a sandy environment that rises from depths of approximately 8 metres to just inches below the surface. Snorkellers typically experience depths ranging from 1 to 8 metres, with an average of 5 metres. Access to this site requires a boat, as it is situated 3000 metres from the shore. Conditions vary, with mild currents and potential hazards including boat traffic, entanglement, low visibility, and surge. The site is suited for intermediate snorkellers, with a typical visit lasting 45 minutes.