Summer has finally arrived in the Great Lakes, and if you look out the window, the sunshine is practically begging you to dust off your dive gear! There is nothing quite like the feeling of loading up the boat, catching that fresh lake breeze, and anticipating the descent.
But diving Lake Michigan isn’t your average tropical vacation, it is a totally unique blend of world-class shipwreck exploration, specialized gear preparation, and unmatched city nightlife. Here is your ultimate guide to making the most of the summer dive season.
Gearing Up for the “Sorta Cold-ish” Reality
Let’s be completely real for a moment: Lake Michigan in July is not the Caribbean. The surface might feel refreshing, but once you drop down and hit those thermoclines, you are officially entering the realm of the “sorta cold-ish.”
- Suit Up: Whether you are rocking a 7mm wetsuit with a sturdy hood or a full drysuit, make sure your thermal protection still fits after a long winter of hibernation. If you dive dry, double-check your seals, zippers, and valves for any dry rot or unexpected leaks.
- The Annual Shakeout: If it has been a few months since your last splash, do yourself a favor and do a thorough gear check. Ensure your regulators are serviced, check your O-rings, and verify your dive computer actually has a working battery before you are on the boat.
The Main Event: A Wreck Diver’s Paradise
The absolute magic of Great Lakes diving lies in the cold, fresh water. Unlike the salty ocean that eats away at sunken ships, Lake Michigan preserves these wooden and steel behemoths perfectly, effectively freezing them in time.
- Choose Your Own Adventure: The local wrecks offer something for every single skill level. You can take a relaxed, shallow cruise around the Material Service Barge, or execute a complex, deep-water technical dive on a 100-plus-year-old schooner like the Thomas Hume.
- The Thrill of the Mystery: There is a unique excitement in diving unidentified ships. Dropping down onto sites like Nicole’s Mystery Wreck or the South Tug makes you feel less like a tourist and more like a true underwater explorer uncovering forgotten history.
Après-Dive: The Chicago Advantage
Where else in the world can you swim through the rigging of an 1800s shipwreck and surface a few minutes later to a panoramic view of a world-class modern skyline? The après-dive scene here is second to none.
- Post-Dive Fuel: Wreck diving burns a massive amount of calories. This is the perfect, guilt-free excuse to immediately hunt down a heavy slice of Chicago deep-dish pizza or hit up a local craft brewery to swap dive stories.
- Make a Weekend of It: You are already right next to the city, so take advantage of it! Turn your dive trip into a full Windy City weekend by hitting the museums, walking the lakefront, and soaking in the nightlife.
Ready to Splash?
This season, we challenge you to step out of your comfort zone. Pick a wreck on our schedule that you have never visited before—because a new wreck means a brand-new story to tell on the boat ride back to the marina.
Summer charter dates fill up incredibly fast once the weather turns. Lock in your spot and start booking your dive charters with Double Action Dive Charters ASAP. Grab your gear, grab your buddy, and let’s go diving!