Lake Michigan Wreck Diving

Chicago-area residents are fortunate to have not only great local dive sites such as Pearl Lake and Haigh Quarry, but a huge adjoining body of water (Lake Michigan) that’s home to some of the world’s best wreck diving. And, because this is fresh water, our wrecks tend to be better preserved — often appearing much today as when they first sunk, up to 100 years (or more) ago. These wrecks can range from small schooners to giant cargo ships and car ferries.

Every summer, Underseas Scuba Center runs a number of Lake Michigan wreck charters. The Chicagoland area is home to over a dozen shipwrecks. Whether your interests lie in exploring old wooden schooners or modern steel wrecks, our charters are dedicated to providing you with the safest and most comfortable passage to your adventure.

Underseas Scuba Center’s wreck charters are specifically designed for divers who want to get their first taste of Lake Michigan wreck diving, or have limited prior wreck diving experience. Depths are moderate (typically 50-70 feet or less). Many of our passengers are making their first dives after certification in Pearl Lake or Haigh Quarry.

Our dive vessel is a 34-foot King Cat, catamaran dive boat the "R/V Aquatica" and offers you the fastest and most comfortable ride to and from the dive site. She takes just six passengers, so there is plenty of elbow room. This is a great vessel for first-time Great Lakes wreck divers.

The charter fee for these trips is just $100. Divers must supply all normal open-water dive equipment, including two full tanks. (If need be, you can rent everything you need, for just $60 from Underseas Scuba Center).

Charters leave Burnham Harbor at 9:00 am to take advantage of the best weather. Space on these trips is limited, and they always fill extremely early. Call (630) 833-8383 for availability.

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