Try scuba diving or snorkeling in Canada's scuba dive capital Tobermory
Dive shops: www.diversden.ca
Big Tub and Little Tub harbour sites
1. Sweepstakes
2. City of Grand Rapids
3. Big Tub Lighthouse Point
4. The Tugs
Fathom Five National Marine Park
5.China 6.A. Voyageur II 7.Cascaden 8.J. Walters 9.W. L. Wetmore 10.Newaygo 11.James C. King 12.Philo Scoville 13.Truellen 14.Points West 15.C. Minch 16.Unidentified Wreck 17.Arabia 18.Forest City 19.The Caves 20.Caroline Rose 21.Niagara II 22.Dunks Point
Alice G (#5 on map)
The Alice G lays together with other small steam tugs in Little Tub Harbor. It is accessible via a walkway to the wooded deck area and suitable for snorkelers and divers. It is also great for those wanting to observe divers in action.
Anchor (#4 on map)
The Anchor is from an unknown vessel and lays at a depth of 21m (70ft) at the "Gap". It is accessible from the shore or by boat.
Arabia (#14 on map)
The Arabia is a three-masted barque and was built in Kingston, by George Thursten.
It sank in 1884 and lays at a depth of 37m (120ft). Recommended for advanced divers under the direction of a dive master.
Big Tub Lighthouse (#3 on map)
The wall dive at the Big Tub Lighthouse Point has a maximum depth of 23m (75ft).
This is a beautiful spot for those wanting to watch divers or the Chi-Cheemaun ferry passing by.
Caroline Rose (#18 on map)
The Caroline Rose was a schooner and was built in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia in 1940.
The ship is 39.6m (132ft) long and lays at a maximum depth of 16.5m (55ft).
It was purposely sunken as a dive site in Driftwood Cove on the Georgian Bay in August 1990.
Caves
The Caves at the Grotto have a submerged entrance at 6m (20ft) depth.
It is accessible by boat or through the hiking trails of the
Bruce Peninsula National Park. The caves are recommended
for all levels of diving experience and snorkellers.
Charles P. Minch (#13 on map)
The Charles P. Minch was a three-masted-schonner and built in Vermilion, Ohio in 1867 by Isaac W. Nicholas. The length of the ship was 47.2m (154.7ft) and the remains lay between 6 and 16 m (20 to 50 ft) deep. The main wreckage is found close to shore.
James C. King (#10 on map)
The James C. King was first built as a three-masted barque, later converted to a schooner rig and lastly used as a barge. It was built in East Saginaw, Michigan in 1867 by Samuel J. Tripp. The ship sunk in 1901 now lays between 7 and 30m (25 and 95ft).
Little Cove (#23 on map)
Little Cove is a popular area for dive certification check-outs and is accessible by boat or shore.
The bay has an approximate depth of 13m (40ft).
Niagara II (#26 on map)
The Niagara II was built in 1930 in Haverton Hill-on-Tees, England as a tanker and was later used as a sandsucker. It's length is 55.5m (182ft) and lays at a depth of 28m (90ft). The Niagara II was purposely sunken as a dive site in May 1999.
Sweepstakes (#1 on map)
The Sweepstakes was built in 1867 as a two-masted schooner in Burlington, Ontario by John Simpson. The ship sank in 1885 and lays just below the surface in Big Tub Harbor at a depth of 7M (20ft). A perfect wreck for novice divers and snorkelers.
W. L. Wetmore (#9 on map)
The W. L. Wetmore was built as a steamer in 1871 in Cleveland, OH by Quayle & Martin.
It is 65.1m (213.7ft) long and only lays at a depth of 7m (25ft). The Wetmore was wrecked during a storm in November 1901. This a dive site for all levels of experience
The Fathom Five is Canada's first national marine park. It offers great clean freshwater diving to over 20 historical shipwrecks, caves and overhangs. The underwater scenic beauty and the collection of shipwrecks is sure to be enjoyed by everyone from novice snorkelers to the most advanced divers.
In the Tobermory harbours, diving is permitted only in the white areas indicated by numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Please respect the rights of private property owners near these dive sites.
There is considerable vessel traffic in the harbours. In order to ensure the safety of everyone, all diving must take place within 30m (100ft) of a displayed flag.
All vessel operators must register at the Parks Canada Visitor Centre before entering any of the designated diving sites.
Please use extreme caution when operating near or within any of these areas.
The Parks Canada Visitor Centre in Tobermory offers diving exhibits, GPS coordinates for dive sites and up-to-date information while you register to dive.
We thank Guy Nadeau for all the great underwater pictures.
