The top 4 dive and snorkel sites in Alpena, ranked by diver reviews, with maps and photos. Read the Alpena guide
Collided with steamer WILLIAM R. LINN in heavy fog and sank. Most of crew boarded LINN when the vessels were "stuck together." Located 10 mi from Thunder Bay Island Light. Type: Wooden propeller, bulk freight Dimensions: 232 x 38 x 14 Condition: Generally intact but broken in the center and split at the coal bunker. Near Middle Island.
Collided with iron propeller LEHIGH in a thick fog. Bound for Chicago. Sunk June 1, 1887. Type: Wooden schooner Dimensions: 129 x 26 x 13 Condition: Hull partially collapsed, centerboard standing. Coal cargo and anchor chain present. Part of decking nearby. Damaged by salvage effort. Located 2 mi NE of Thunder Bay Island. Lucinda Van Valkenburg is also known as Lucy.
Miscalculated a turn and ran aground 7 miles northeast of Thunder Bay Island. Expected to be recovered, but a big storm a few days later wrecked her bottom. Her crew stayed aboard after the grounding, planning to assist with the recovery, but had to be rescued by Coast Guard helicopter during the storm (which also sank the DANIEL J. MORRELL). Sunk november 19, 1966. The wreck is visible from several miles away, protruding from the water. While the elements have taken its toll it is still a very enjoyable dive. Current however can be unpredictable and it's a long journey. Most dive charters avoid this wreck because it is so remote. If taking a personal craft be prepared for rough weather and watch for wreckage, which in some spots protrudes up from 40 feet to only inches below the surface. Type: German steel propeller, package and bulk freight Dimensions: 470.8 x 60.9 x 28.2 7 miles NE of Thunder Bay Island
The Monrovia was built in 1943 as the Empire Falstaff. She's a steel freight steamer with an official number of LIELOF (Scotland). She's 430' in length and 6,700 tons. She sank on 6/26/1959 in 90-150 feet of water due to a collision with the Royalton 13.5 mi @ 107 degrees from Thunder Bay Island Light The Monrovia probably one of the best dive sites in the Thunder Bay underwater preserve. It is incredibly intact and upright. The Monrovia is not market by a mooring buoy. For this reason is makes it difficult to find. It lies from 80 to well over 100 feet in depth. Penetration is possible and there are many rooms and levels to explore. This dive is not often populated because of its distance away from anything else. To get the most out of this dive make a day out of it and bring several tanks. Also it should be noted that the Monrovia lies in the middle of a busy shipping lane, so it is advised to leave someone in the boat, or if that is not practice radio on channel sixteen about your intentions so that any shipping traffic knows your intentions. The Monrovia lies about 13 miles away from Thunder Bay light house. Due to the remoteness of the location few dive charters will visit it. The only access is by boat. Plan to make a day of it
Zentacle lists 1 dive shop in Alpena. The top-rated is Great Lakes Divers (5.0 from 8 reviews).
