THE STRAITS OF MACKINAC
The Straits of Mackinac, a 196-foot/60m-long steel car and passenger ferry, was intentionally sunk in 78 feet/24m of water on April 10, 2003. This intriguing shipwreck dive site is located approximately 10 miles north of Navy Pier in Lake Michigan.
While exploring the Straits of Mackinac, divers can expect to witness the remnants of this impressive vessel, which has become an artificial reef teeming with marine life. Although the visibility is around 10m, divers will still have the opportunity to admire the diverse aquatic flora and fauna that have made this wreck their home. With a sandy and mucky bottom, the site offers a unique combination of underwater landscapes.
To fully enjoy the Straits of Mackinac dive site, it is recommended that divers have an advanced or expert level of experience. The maximum depth of this dive site is 24m, providing an exciting challenge for those seeking a thrilling underwater adventure.
Located in Cook County, Illinois, United States, this dive site offers a captivating exploration of an underwater archaeological wonder. Discover the rich history of The Straits of Mackinac while immersing yourself in the stunning underwater world it now inhabits.
While exploring the Straits of Mackinac, divers can expect to witness the remnants of this impressive vessel, which has become an artificial reef teeming with marine life. Although the visibility is around 10m, divers will still have the opportunity to admire the diverse aquatic flora and fauna that have made this wreck their home. With a sandy and mucky bottom, the site offers a unique combination of underwater landscapes.
To fully enjoy the Straits of Mackinac dive site, it is recommended that divers have an advanced or expert level of experience. The maximum depth of this dive site is 24m, providing an exciting challenge for those seeking a thrilling underwater adventure.
Located in Cook County, Illinois, United States, this dive site offers a captivating exploration of an underwater archaeological wonder. Discover the rich history of The Straits of Mackinac while immersing yourself in the stunning underwater world it now inhabits.
Diving Conditions Score for THE STRAITS OF MACKINAC
5
AverageAverage conditions, be alert.
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.
Dive Site Overview for THE STRAITS OF MACKINAC
Depth
24m
Visibility
10m
Experience Level
advanced
expert
Weather Conditions for THE STRAITS OF MACKINAC
Wave Height
0.48m
Wind Speed
16.8 m/s
Water Temp
18°C
Visibility
12.2km
Cloud Cover
100%
Wave Period
3s
Air Temperature
13.4°C
Precipitation
0 mm
Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for THE STRAITS OF MACKINAC
Alpha
Dive Score Chart for THE STRAITS OF MACKINAC
Best time to dive: 17:00 with score 7.246007344632767/10. Water conditions: Waves 0.36m, Wind 5.9 m/s.Best night dive time: 18:00 with score 6.5010344827586195/10.
Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.
Sunrise at THE STRAITS OF MACKINAC: 06:00
Sunset at THE STRAITS OF MACKINAC: 18:00
Optimal diving conditions at THE STRAITS OF MACKINAC are affected by daylight hours. Sunrise occurs at 06:00 and sunset at 18:00, which impacts visibility and water temperature for scuba diving and snorkeling.
Best Overall
17:00Score: 7.2/10
Waves: 0.36m (2.95s), Wind: 5.9 m/s
Best Night
18:00Score: 6.5/10
Waves: 0.32m, Wind: 8.9 m/s
Seasonal Analysis for THE STRAITS OF MACKINACAlpha
Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at THE STRAITS OF MACKINAC
The dive score combines all factors to rate overall diving conditions throughout the year. Higher scores indicate better diving conditions.
Monthly Dive Score Analysis - Seasonal Diving Conditions
Higher values indicate better diving conditions
Seasonal DiveScore Chart
This chart displays monthly diveScore data throughout the year, showing seasonal patterns. The data is presented as a bar chart with an overlaid line graph.Dive scores range from 1 to 10, with 10 being optimal conditions.
Higher values indicate better diving conditions
Best Season for THE STRAITS OF MACKINAC
Winter
Avg. Score: 7.9/10
Winter offers the best overall diving conditions with calmer seas and better visibility, despite cooler temperatures.
Best Months for THE STRAITS OF MACKINAC
January
Score: 8.1
February
Score: 7.8
December
Score: 7.8
Ideal Conditions for THE STRAITS OF MACKINAC
Water Temp
22.7°C / 72.9°F
July
Visibility
12.0m / 39.4ft
June
Wave Height
1.8m / 5.9ft
January
Wave Period
8.0s
January
Seasonal Insights for THE STRAITS OF MACKINAC
THE STRAITS OF MACKINAC shows typical northern hemisphere patterns with July being the warmest month (22.7°C) and January the coldest (-10.2°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in January with average wave heights of 1.8m and wave periods of 8.0s. The most comfortable wave conditions are in January with a low wave steepness ratio, creating gentler swells. January offers the longest wave periods (8.0s), creating more comfortable and predictable conditions for boat entries and exits. Ocean currents are slowest in January (0.5m/s) and strongest in January (0.5m/s). June is usually the driest month with 0.0mm of precipitation. For beginners, the best time to visit would be during January to March, when ocean conditions are calmer with long-period waves and currents are typically weaker. Experienced divers might enjoy the challenges and potentially better visibility during the shoulder seasons, with moderate currents that can improve marine life encounters.
Last updated: 1 min. ago - Jun 18, 2026
Note: This dive site is not a verified dive site. Please dive with caution. This dive site might have incorrect information by the community.
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