Sub-Aquatic Sports & Service - BC, MI - Tobermory, Canada Trip

: Tobermory, Canada

Date: July 9-11

Tobermory is one of our favorite summer getaways. This trip is designed to maximize your dive opportunities. We’ve chartered a boat all day on Saturday and 1/2 day on Sunday morning. Add those dives to the beach diving opportunities and you can log up to 8 dives in just one weekend. A beginning diver will enjoy the Sweepstakes wreck in only 20 ft. of water while the advanced diver will enjoy the Arabia at 110 ft. With dozens of wrecks scattered on the bottom, there is something for any skill level of diver to enjoy. The ARABIA is the most popular wreck and considered advanced because of its depth (110 ft). We usually visit the Arabia on Sunday morning after you’ve had a few dives under belt from the previous day. The 131ft schooner is over 150 years old! She sits upright with the Captain’s wheel and a memorial stone found on her starboard side. The Niagara II is a steel sand sucker sank in 1999. She’s intact and easy to dive with depths ranging from 45-100ft. The wheelhouse, at 45 ft., is definitely worth checking out.

Optional:
Forest City Dive $79: For those who can join us early on Friday, we’ll have a special 2-tank dive to the Forest City. This steamer ran into the Bear’s Rump Island in 1904 and slid down the drop off. She starts at 60ft but ends at 150ft of water. Additional fee is $79 based on 8 or more divers.

Your Accommodations:
The Princess Hotel is located in the heart of the town. All the favorite restaurants, T-shirt stores and bars are within walking distance. After the dives, sit back, relax and watch the sun set over Little Tub Harbor and the Georgian Bay.

Diving:
Sub-Aquatic Sports has reserved the dive boat for Saturday (9 am to 5 pm) and Sunday (9 am to 12 pm.) To get the most out of this trip, you must bring a minimum of two tanks. Tank rentals are available at a reduced rate. We will do as many boat dives as time allows on Saturday and 2 dives on Sunday. Some "hard-core" divers have done as many as 12 dives (including beach dives) in one weekend. However, you set the pace for your vacation, we will design it to fit your desires.

COST:

Diver: $399*

Non-diver: $209

A non-refundable $100 deposit is necessary to guarantee space on this trip. Final payment is due 30 days prior to departure. Prices are based on current exchange rates, fuel charges and taxes. They are subject to change without notice. We strongly suggest travel insurance.

Package Includes:

2 nights hotel accommodations at the Princess Hotel, based on double occupancy

All day boat charter on Saturday (4+dives)

Half day boat charter on Sunday (2-dives)

Hot breakfast on Saturday and Sunday

Sub-Aquatic Sports & Service T-shirt

Sub-Aquatic Sports & Service guide

: SHIPWRECKS

With twenty-five shipwrecks and remarkable underwater geology, it's no wonder Tobermory is the diving capital of Canada. Thousands of divers from all over the world visit each year to dive the clear waters where visibility usually ranges from 30' to 50' (9m to 15m), and it is extremely popular as a place to conduct diver certification checkouts where the novice divers can complete their checkouts and enjoy diving a wreck or other intriguing site at the same time.

There are a number of good shore dives like the lighthouse or Little Tub Harbour wrecks but the best dives are from boats; the most interesting being the Wetmore, Sweepstakes, Caroline Rose and the caves. After your first dive, you'll know why Tobermory is the freshwater dive capital of Canada (and probably one of the best dive sites in North America).

Harbour Wrecks

Big Tub Harbour
These wrecks are not deep, and can be easily reached by boat. Many of the Flowerpot Island glass-bottom boat tours visit these two wrecks. Shore access is restricted because surrounding property is privately owned.

Divers and snorkelers note: Because of tour boat activity, access to Sweepstakes and City of Grand Rapids is restricted to certain hours of the day. Between the last Friday in June to Labour Day Monday inclusive, the wrecks are reserved for tour boats only Monday through Saturday 9:00am through 4:00pm and Sunday between 1:00pm and 4:00pm and for divers only every day from 4:00pm through 10:00pm and between 9:00am and noon on Sundays. Outside these dates, the sites are shared by divers and boat operators between 9:00am and 10:00pm. These rules are strictly enforced and violators will be fined.

SWEEPSTAKES - schooner. Built in Burlington, Ontario in 1867, with a length of 119' (36.3m), it was stranded at Cove Island in August of 1885. It was subsequently towed to the foot of Big Tub Harbour where it sank prior to completion of salvage operations and was abandoned. The hull is fairly intact and now lies in 20' (6.5m) of water and can be seen by divers, snorkeling and glass-bottom tour boat. Due to decomposition caused by trapped oxygen, divers are not permitted to enter this wreck anymore.

CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS - steamer. Built in Grand Haven, Michigan, in 1879, with a length of 122’ 6" (37.3m), it burned and sank at the foot of Big Tub Harbour in 1907. It lies in about 15' (5m) of water and can also be seen by divers, snorkeling and glass-bottom tour boat. Most of the hull below the waterline including parts of the boiler can be seen. Its propellor and rudder are on display outside the St. Edmunds Township Museum on Hwy. #6, just south of Tobermory.

Little Tub Harbour:
There are four wrecks located close together at the eastern side of Little Tub Harbour. Access to these wrecks is from the diver's platform at the northern end of the harbour walkway or from Lee’s docks at the southern end. They are in shallow water and are also excellent for snorkeling.

JOHN AND ALEX- the 59’ (17.3m) steam powered fishing tug was built in Port Dover, Ontario in 1924, and destroyed by fire on Dec. 6, 1947. A 50’ section of the bottom of the hull is still intact and the stern is visible just above the water. Smaller sections of the sides and keel rest nearby.

ROBERT K. - built in 1917, also in Port Dover, was destroyed by fire in 1936.

BOB FOOTE - little is known about the wreck other than it sank in 1905. The wreckage measures 56’ long and 30’ wide. The sides and deck have collapsed.

ALICE G. - a 67’ (19.7m) steam powered fishing tug built in Collingwood, Ontario, tore loose from her moorings during a gale in November 1927 and was slammed against the rocks and sunk. This wreck is nearly intact, and its steam engine, boiler, driveshaft and propellor remain.

Other Shipwrecks:

CASCADEN - schooner. Built in 1866 in Southampton, Ontario, the ship was wrecked in October of 1871 near Cape Hurd. The wreckage is badly broken up and spread over a large area.

CHINA - this 137’ (42m) schooner was built in 1863 in Port Robinson, Ontario. It ran aground on a reef now bearing its name in bad weather in November 1883. A 70’ (20.6m) section of hull is the largest section of the badly broken up wreckage which lies in approximately 10’ (3m) of water.

JOHN WALTERS - this 108’ (33m) two-masted schooner built in Picton, Ontario in 1852, was wrecked in a narrow channel at the southern end of Russel Island in 1899. A 109’ section of hull bottom lies in 15’ (5m) of water.

W.L. WETMORE - steamer, 214’ (65m) long, built in Cleveland, Ohio. Caught in a winter storm on November 29, 1901 while towing two timber-laden schooners, the three all ran aground off Russel Island’s Western shore. Large amounts of timber and wreckage including the boiler are still in place. At 30’ (10m) deep, this is considered one of the best wrecks to dive in Tobermory.

JAMES C. KING - this was one of the schooners in tow by the W.L. Wetmore when it went aground. It’s length was 175’ 3" (53.4m), and was built in East Saginaw, Michigan. It now lies in 25’ - 95’ (7m - 30m) of water. It is not recommended for beginning divers.

NEWAYGO - the wreck of this 196’ (57.6m) steamer, built in Marine City, Michigan in 1890, lies in 15’ - 25’ (4.5m - 7m) of water on the Southeast end of the Northwest Bank on the west side of Cove Island. The ship ran aground on November 17, 1903 during a storm. A 160’ (47m) section of the hull, lower section of the bow and boiler remain.

PHILO SCOVILLE - this schooner, built in Cleveland, Ohio in 1863 measured 139’ 6" (41m) went aground during a storm on Ocrober 6, 1889. She was broken up and wreckage now lies on a steep incline at depths from 25’ to 95’ (7m to 30m). This site is not recommended for novices.

CHARLES P. MINCH - a 154’ (47.2m) schooner built in Vermillion, Ohio in 1867, the Minch was driven into rocks and broken up in October, 1898. This is a popular dive site for all levels of experience.

ARABIA - a three-masted barque 131’ (40m) long, built in Kingston in 1853. The Arabia foundered in open water during a storm and sank. One story suggests its cargo of grain got wet, expanded and burst the seams of the hull causing it to take on water and sink. It lies in 120’ (37m) of water and is an excellently preserved wreck. There are strong currents in the area and this site is recommended for advanced groups under the direction of a dive master.

MARION L. BRECK - a 127’ (38.7m) schooner built in 1840 and originally named the William Penn. It struck the rocky shoals of Bear’s Rump Island and broke up. The wreckage lies in 90’ (28m) of water and is not a popular site. It is recommended for experienced divers only.

FOREST CITY - this 216' (66m) steamer, built in Cleveland, Ohio in 1870, struck the shore of Bear's Rump Island in June 1904, slid off and sank. Wreckage lies in water 60' to 150' (18m to 46m) deep and is recommended for highly advanced divers only.

AVALON VOYAGEUR - a propellor motor freighter of 135’ (41.2m) length, built in Clarenville, Newfoundland in 1947. On October 1980, it was at anchor and drifted into the rocks. In 1982, vandals set the wreck afire and now only a portion remains in water up to 25’ (8m) deep.

LADY DUFFERIN - the 135’ (41.2m) schooner, built in Port Burwell, was in tow in October 1886 when she broke the lines and was swept into the rocks of Dufferin Point. The broken wreckage lies on an incline between 40’ and 100’ (11.8m and 29m) deep.

CITY OF CLEVELAND - a propellor steamer of 255’ (75m) length, built in Cleveland, Ohio in 1882. On September 15, 1901, it was blown off course by a gale and struck the ledges of Perserverance Island near Manitoulin Island. It now lies, hull almost intact, in water of 10’ to 30’ (3m to 9m). The sides and deck have collapsed, and the engine room with all its equipment exposed.

GAT POINT WRECK - a 60’ (19m) hull section of an unknown sailing vessel in 10’ (3m) of water.

CASSLE'S COVE WRECK - a 90’ section of hull from an unidentified sailing ship lies in depths from 50’ to 70’ (14.7m to 20.6m).

THE POINTS WEST - a 32’ (10m) wooden guide boat, built in Tobermory in 1956, was scuttled in 50’ (14.7m) of water and lies intact.

CAROLINE ROSE - this 135’ (41m) sailing craft, built in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia in 1940, was deliberately submerged in driftwood cove specifically for divers. It lies broken up in about 60’ (18m) of water.

UNIDENTIFIED WRECK - a wreck of unknown origin lies off the Northeastern coast of Cove Island approximately half way between Eagle Point and Cove Island Lighthouse.

NIAGARA II - The Niagara II has become Tobermory’s signature wreck. She is a steel sand sucker built in 1930 (length: 182 ft) In 1998 the Tobermory Maritime Association was formed with the objective of obtaining and sinking a new wreck to enhance the diving opportunities in Tobermory. After an extensive search the perfect ship was found - The Niagara II. This exciting wreck was sunk in May 1999, and offers a wonderful diving experience for all levels of certification. The Niagara II lies perfectly upright in approximately 100 ft. of Georgian Bay's crystal clear water, just east of Little Cove. The top of her wheelhouse is at a depth of 45 ft. and both the bow and stern decks lie in the 65 ft. range.

Additional Popular Dive Sites:

BIG TUB LIGHTHOUSE - the Big Tub Lighthouse was built in 1885. Interesting geological features can be seen down to a depth of 75’ (21m). Many dive clubs and schools train divers at this site.

THE ANCHOR- a large wooden-stocked iron anchor from an unknown vessel lies in 70’ (21m) of water. The site can be accessed from a gap right at the end of Highway #6.

THE CAVES - located along the cliffs of Cyprus Lake campground, these are best reached from boat. Entrance is about 20’ (6m) below the surface.

DAVE’S BAY (LITTLE COVE) - interesting geological formations and glacial features can be found along the south shore at depths to 40’ (13m). This site is very popular for dive clubs and checkouts - particularly on Saturday mornings.

DUNK’S POINT - Interesting geological features can be found at depths up to 40’ (13m). For divers of all experience levels, although access is by boat only.

FLOWERPOT ISLAND - the southeast shoreline of the island offers rock ledges and vertical cliffs down to 200’ (59m).