Ontario

Canada

We have some of the best fresh water wreck diving in the world and we want to share that with everyone! Michael and Debra of Diversparadise.net



St. Lawrence River

Lake Simcoe

There is a fountain in the middle of the lake ;) There are other items of interest submerged in the lake but I did not have time to investigate since I was with a group getting trained.

Gulliver's Lake RV Resort & Campground approximately 30 minutes NW of downtown Hamilton ON Canada. This is a good location for seasoned and novice divers alike. Many diving schools come here for training and diving. As host of the 2002 Provincial Triathalon, Gulliver's Lake is also a popular training spot for local triathletes. Dive access is walk-in from the shore. Drop off is within a few feet of the shore. There are various submerged platforms @ 15+ feet for practicing skills (e.g., mask clearing and neutral buoyancy). The fine silt/mud bottom can make for poor visibility and sometimes algae also reduces visibility. I saw some small mouth bass from the shore but no fish while diving (Sep 2018).

Gulliver's Lake

Cessna, bus! -- from B.E.

Off H'401 exit 250, about 10k west from there.  Put-in at the shore. 

Innerkip Quarry is also known as Trout Lake.

Innerkip Quarry

There's some fun drift diving on the Canadian side of the Niagara River, going from Fort Erie downstream towards Niagara Falls. The Niagara Parkway (a nice two lane road that goes along the river) has lots of places to park and access the water. You'll need a diver down flag, because there's boat traffic. Stay in about 20-25 feet of water to avoid the current that can sweep you around to the New York side (passport needed and the Coast Guard will be really irritated). Viz is about 10 feet, current is relentless...If you get really lucky, you may find old bottles, golf balls, or perhaps relics from the War of 1812 to snatch up before you're dragged downstream...You'll need a tracker car as the current will take you a few miles (oh, yeah, stop before you get to the Falls! If you put in at Fort Erie, you'll run out of air before you get that far). A fun, local dive. Thanks for the great web site!



Fort Erie

The steamer Conestoga was built by Quale & Son of Cleveland for Anchor Line and launched July 6, 1878. A considerable amount of money, technical design and skill went into construction,, as evidenced by the description in the Cleveland Daily Plain Dealer on July 8, 1878: "Fitted out in all proportions with a care to strength, durability and beauty ... it is estimated that her cost will be near $90,000.00. Two hundred fifty-two feet long, sixteen feet deep with a gross tonnage of 1,226, Consetoga was powered by a steeple compound engine capable of a speed of 8 knots. The upper portion of the steeple engine protrudes above the river, marking the site. She sank on May 22, 1922 outside Lock 28 of the Old Gallop Canal, one mile east of Cardinal, Ontario. A fire broke out in the engine room while awaiting passage at the lock. The ship was flushed from the Lock and allowed to ground and sink in her present position. Loss was estimated at $200,000.00. She was carrying 30,000 bushels of wheat, much of which was salvaged.

From Ottawa, take River Road South to the intersection of Regional Road No. 22 (Shanley Road). Follow Road No. 22 south to Cardinal. Continue straight toward the river, follow the road past the Legion out onto the dirt road on the causeway approximately 1 km. You will see the engine protruding from the water. There is a parking area. Food and lodging can be found in Cardinal. Although the wooden portions of the Conestoga are still in good condition, the upper areas are badly ice damaged and all metal is rusted and deteriorating. Conestoga has suffered greatly from looting and wreck-stripping by sport divers. One blade of the 14-foot propeller was broken off by an exploding dynamite charge during an unsuccessful salvage attempt.

The Conestoga

Great 2-way (almost!) drift; easy return to starting point.  -- from Bozkurt Eralp

Ricardo st. South of Collingwood St.  Put-in at the dock.

Navy Hall

-- from Bozkurt Eralp

Port Dalhousie, bit of a swim out. Put-in at the shore.

Lake Street Wreck

On the St Laurence River

From the 401 exit at Cardinal and head South to the River. At the river turn right. Find the dirt road behind the building. You will be able to see the parts of the wreck out of the water.

Conestoga

Lovely drift dive! -- from Bozkurt Eralp<br><br> ****** WARNING *****<br><br> There have recently been two deaths from diving in this area. You may view the 2007 incident report published by the Ontario Underwater Council in our Links section below.  We strongly recommend not diving this site until more is known about the causes of the accident.



Chippawa Creek

Rothesay (Prescot) and Conestoga (Cardinal) wrecks.

St. Lawrence River

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at St. Lawrence River