Illinois

Cook County

Divers will travel far and wide to find the best diving. But those who live in the United States have plenty of great diving on their doorstep as well, with plentiful access to the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. From warm-water reefs to temperate seas, here are some of the top places to scuba dive in the United States.

United States

Chicago

Straits of Mackinack

Three masted wooden schooner, sunk May 20 1883.



Wells Burt

Wood schooner lost in a storm on Sep. 7, 1860.



St. Mary is also known as St. Marys.

St. Mary

Dive site has an abundance of sunfish and catfish.  Great visibility most of the year and used frequently for open water training.  Equipment rental and airfills available on site.  


Interstate 57 exit 315.  Take Route 50 south to North Street.  Turn left onto North Street and travel east for approximatley 1 1/2 miles.  Sign for Haigh Quarry will be on the right side of the roadway.   

Haigh Quarry

This is a Dutch ship sunk in 1954.  It is intact and laying on her starboard side in 75 feet of water. Is is intact and divers swim through the cabins and cargo holds.

This is Milwaukee's best ship wreck just 3 miles east of the main harbour entrance.

Prins Willem V is also known as Willie.

Prins Willem V

Pearl Lake, South Beloit is a 4.0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Illinois, USA Mid which is accessible from shore based on 1 ratings.

Pearl Lake, South Beloit

Located just North of Rockford, IL (the state's second largest city). Pearl Lake is one of the oldest private diving lakes in Illinois and offers fishing, swimming and diving. An old gravel pit, average depth is between 30 & 40 feet with a maximum depth of 85 feet. Many man made objects have been sunk in the lake to keep divers amused. Attractions include a bus (of course), boats, an airplane, concrete pipes, railroad tracks, and a two man submarine. The fish are friendly and abundant. A popular training lake for Chicago area instructors, the lake can get crowded on the weekends. Amenities include a camp ground, restaurant, bar, rest rooms, showers & changing rooms. Air fills and equipment rentals are available on site. Nitrox fills are also available. C card required. Daily entrance fee is $25. Dive season: April to October, 8AM - dusk (night diving is permitted on Sat/Sun) Pearl Lake is host to a variety of plant & animal life including bluegills, small- and largemouth bass, yellow perch, white suckers, catfish, turtles, craysish, and an assortment of mollusks. This dive destination offers many underwater attractions (see map) and is great for novice and experienced divers.



Pearl Lake

Visibility on the Ironsides can vary from a few feet to 50 feet or better.  This wreck does get a fair amount of fishing line and lures, be sure to carry safety sheers or knife.

Site is located 4 miles offshore from Grand Haven Pier.  The nearest boat ramp is 15 minutes up river from the pier.

Ironsides Wreck

France Park, Logansport is a 4.0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Indiana, USA Mid which is accessible from shore based on 5 ratings.

France Park, Logansport

Yes, France Park isn't the top diving destination on most peoples lists of hot dive sites. What it lacks in beauty it makes up for in experience. The quarry has many features that make it well suited for training. With a maximum depth of 32ft, I am not sure how I managed to record 34ft on one dive.



France Park

Lake Monona is a 3359 acre lake located in Dane County. It has a maximum depth of 74 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from public boat landings, public beaches. Fish include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Sturgeon and Catfish.

Straits of Mackinack

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Straits of Mackinack