The Straits of Mackinac is a freshwater wreck-diving destination where cold, clear water has preserved a remarkable collection of sunken vessels. Wrecks range from shallow artificial reefs accessible to beginners through to deep steel freighters and wooden schooners that demand intermediate or advanced skills. Nearly all sites are reached by boat. Alongside the wrecks, divers and snorkellers regularly encounter Sturgeon, Lake Trout, Walleye, and Pike. Summer brings the warmest water and the busiest dive season.
Monthly water temperature across Straits of Mackinac's sites, from satellite sea-surface data corrected for depth. The band shows the site-to-site spread.
Water temperatures drop to near-freezing in winter and early spring, making the season run from late spring through early autumn. June, July, and August offer the warmest conditions, with September still drawing strong visitor numbers. Drysuits are advisable outside peak summer months given the cold baseline of this freshwater environment.
19 operators
27 more sites to explore
Water temperature around Straits of Mackinac ranges from about 2°C in February to 18°C in August, based on satellite sea-temperature data for its dive sites.
In the warm season (about 18°C) a 5mm suit is comfortable in Straits of Mackinac; in the coldest months (about 2°C) step up to a drysuit.
Fin maps 35 sites in Straits of Mackinac (26 scuba diving sites and 13 snorkelling spots, with some suited to both).
Across Straits of Mackinac's dive sites, June, July, August and September are most often reported as the best months to visit.
The region's freshwater sites host a wide variety of species, all observation-backed. Sturgeon, Lake Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Walleye, Pike, Freshwater Drum, Rock Bass, and Perch are all very commonly encountered. Round Goby and American Crayfish are also regularly seen across the majority of sites.
Most sites in the region are rated intermediate or advanced, reflecting the significant depths of many wrecks and the cold water conditions. However, the Car Bodies artificial reef sits at a very shallow depth and is rated suitable for beginners, providing a gentle introduction to freshwater wreck diving. Newer divers should check current skill requirements with local operators St. Ignace Scuba, LLC or Scuba North before planning a trip.
All of the top sites in the Straits of Mackinac are boat-access only, including both the shallow and deep wrecks. Shore entry is not a feature of the main dive sites here, so booking with one of the local operators is the practical route for most visitors. St. Ignace Scuba, LLC and Scuba North both serve the region.
The wrecks vary considerably in depth, structure, and required skill level. The Sandusky, a wooden schooner, and the Cedarville, a steel bulk freighter lying on its side, are suited to intermediate divers. The Ebar Ward and William Young sit deeper and are rated advanced, while the New Orleans is strictly for technical divers. The shallow Car Bodies artificial reef stands apart as the most accessible site of all.
