We recently received an email from a diver we’ll call William. He had logged about two dozen dives, all at Haigh Quarry, and was thinking about joining us for a charter on Lake Michigan. However, having never dived off a boat or in the Great Lakes, he had some very valid questions: Is my 7mm wetsuit enough? How deep are we going? What is the protocol on the boat? And what is it actually like out there?
Transitioning from a familiar, calm quarry to the open waters of Lake Michigan can feel intimidating. But it doesn’t have to be! We put together this guide based on our answers to William to help all prospective first-timers know exactly what to expect when diving with Double Action Dive Charters.
Gearing Up: Do I Need a Drysuit?
If you are diving our shallower Zone One wrecks, a 7mm wetsuit is typically more than adequate. While drysuits are certainly popular and nice to have, they are absolutely not a requirement for these dives as long as you have a quality wetsuit that fits well.
We do highly recommend wearing gloves and a hood. You can expect surface temperatures to hover around 65°F during the summer, but once you drop down to 60 feet, the water temperature will dip to approximately 45°F.
Note: We do not rent equipment. You must bring all of your own gear, including your tanks and weights!
Before You Board
The goal is to make your morning as smooth and stress-free as possible. After you book your charter, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions to complete your certification card verification and liability waiver online. Knocking this out from your couch makes check-in a breeze.
- Where to Find Us: We dock at the Hammond Port Authority, located all the way at the end of the marina next to the casino. When you arrive at the security gate, simply tell them you are diving with Double Action Dive Charters, and they will let you through.
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The Timeline & When We Get Back: We ask all divers to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. This gives you plenty of time to load your gear, claim a spot, and get comfortable before the captain’s safety briefing. We leave the dock promptly at our scheduled time!
Another question asked was, “Generally, what time would you expect the dive to return to shore?”
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7:00 AM Charters: Expect to be back at the dock at or before 12:00 PM.
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1:00 PM Charters: Expect to return around 6:00 PM.
Your exact return time primarily depends on how far the boat has to travel to reach the wrecks. The great news for our newer divers on the Zone One charters is that these sites are relatively close to the marina, meaning we often get back a bit on the earlier side!
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The Dives: Zone One Depths
We dive wrecks ranging anywhere from 20 feet down to 160 feet. For newly certified Open Water divers or those new to the Great Lakes, we highly recommend booking a Zone One charter. These are two-tank dives ($155 per person) featuring incredible history at manageable depths.
Zone One wrecks include:
- Illinois and Holly Barges
- Tacoma
- Material Service Barge
- Inland Steel Barge
- Car Ferry No. 2
- David Dows
- South Tug
- Louisville
The Louisville is our deepest Zone One site, resting in about 60 feet of water, while most of the others sit around 40 feet. Keep in mind that these depths refer to the lake bottom. Because these ships have a lot of vertical relief, you will actually spend much of your dive exploring the decks and structures 10 to 20 feet shallower than the max depth!
Boat Protocol: Getting In and Out
Our boat is built for divers. We have comfortable bench seating for 16 passengers, complete with built-in tank holders so you can gear up easily right at your seat.
- Entering the Water: When it is your turn to splash, you and your buddy will walk to the jump point. A crew member will help you put your fins on. Once you are fully ready, we log your entry time, and you execute a giant stride into the water. Turn back to the boat, flash us the “OK” signal, and surface swim to the bow where our line is tied directly into the shipwreck. You and your buddy will descend together down the line.
- Exiting the Water: At the end of your dive, you will return up the ascent line and make your way to the stern of the boat. We have two heavy-duty ladders for easy boarding. Feel free to hand your fins up to a crew member, but please keep your mask on and your regulator in your mouth until you are securely back on the deck.
Between dives, we will pass around water and light snacks. You can swap your regulator over to your fresh tank anytime after you surface. Once everyone is back on board, we pull the lines and head to the second wreck of the day.
What Is It Really Like Out There?
If you are used to the quarry, we have great news: the visibility on our Lake Michigan wrecks is almost always better. This season, we have consistently seen 30 to 60 feet of visibility!
But beyond the water clarity, diving the Great Lakes is a wildly unique experience. When we asked our regular divers how they would describe it to a newcomer, they didn’t hold back.
One diver focused on the magic of the wrecks:
“It’s all about the history. You’re diving actual shipwrecks. Some lost to brutal storms, others scuttled on purpose. They just don’t build ships like that anymore, and seeing the wood almost perfectly preserved in the cold freshwater is incredible.”
Another diver gave us the beautifully honest, unfiltered truth:
“How do I professionally say the water’s cold, the boat gets rocky, you’re at the mercy of the weather, and it takes more effort than just wading into a local quarry? But honestly, seeing a real shipwreck emerge from the gloom is cool as f*** and totally worth it.”
They are exactly right. It requires a bit more effort, and Mother Nature is always in charge, but the moment you descend through the blue water and see a 19th-century schooner materialize below you, every ounce of preparation is worth it.
Ready to make the jump? Book your Zone One charter with Double Action Dive Charters today!