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LakeShipwreckFreshwaterSource Checked

NBM Dive Site Resource

Pretoria

Bayfield, Wisconsin, United States

Pretoria is a documented Apostle Islands dive site listed by the National Park Service, with published depth information of 55 ft.

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Historic Photograph

Historic photograph of Pretoria being launched.
The schooner Pretoria at launch in 1900.George N. Fletcher Public Library; via Wikimedia Commons · Public domain in the United StatesSource ↗
WaterFreshwater
AccessBoat or site-specific access; verify current local requirements.
ExperienceAdvanced planning recommended; verify current conditions.
Maximum depth55 ft
Best seasonSeasonal Great Lakes diving; verify current conditions.
VisibilityVisibility varies

Aquatic life at this dive site

What divers may encounter

Three reviewed connections are featured here. Sightings vary by season, conditions, and chance, so they are never guaranteed.

Profile connection reserved

Aquatic life research in progress

NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.

Profile connection reserved

Aquatic life research in progress

NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.

Profile connection reserved

Aquatic life research in progress

NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.

Site media

Photographs

Three views rotate from the published gallery on each visit.
Illustrated scuba diver reserved for a future dive-site photograph
Dive Photograph PlaceholderDive-site photograph pending
Illustrated scuba diver reserved for a future dive-site photograph
Dive Photograph PlaceholderDive-site photograph pending
Illustrated scuba diver reserved for a future dive-site photograph
Dive Photograph PlaceholderDive-site photograph pending

Contributor media

Dive videos

Three featured video positions are reserved on every profile.
Dive-site video pending
Dive-site video pending
Dive-site video pending

Recent field observations

Diver-reported temperatures

Automatically checked observations from dives during the past 14 days. Three reports are visible at a time; scroll for more.
Automatically checked
No recent diver reports from the past 14 days

A report that passes the automatic checks will appear here with the dive date, diver’s display name, and temperatures at each depth.

Reports are automatically checked for plausible dates, depths, and temperatures. They are observations, not forecasts; confirm conditions before diving.

Diver field observation

Report temperatures

Reports publish automatically when the date, depths, and temperatures pass the checks. You must be signed in to submit.

Depth readings

Seasonal planning reference

Typical monthly conditions

Long-term averages, not a forecast. Actual air and water conditions can change quickly and may vary across the site.
Average airSurface waterBottom water
Reusable conditions profileGreat Lakes regional monthly conditions

Moderate-confidence match — Matched by documented Great Lakes port/area. Air and surface-water values are regional planning averages. No bottom-water line is published because a comparable depth-specific record has not yet been verified.

Monthly air, surface-water, and bottom-water temperaturesLine chart of published monthly average temperatures in Fahrenheit. Missing bottom-temperature months are intentionally left blank.0°18°35°53°70°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Monthly averages in Fahrenheit and Celsius
MonthAverage airSurface waterBottom waterBottom measurement depth
Jan11.2°F / -11.6°C32.3°F / 0.2°CNo reliable record—
Feb15.4°F / -9.2°C32.0°F / 0.0°CNo reliable record—
Mar27.0°F / -2.8°C39.6°F / 4.2°CNo reliable record—
Apr39.5°F / 4.2°C35.7°F / 2.1°CNo reliable record—
May52.0°F / 11.1°C36.3°F / 2.4°CNo reliable record—
Jun61.2°F / 16.2°C40.1°F / 4.5°CNo reliable record—
Jul67.0°F / 19.4°C49.4°F / 9.7°CNo reliable record—
Aug65.5°F / 18.6°C60.9°F / 16.1°CNo reliable record—
Sep57.2°F / 14.0°C57.3°F / 14.1°CNo reliable record—
Oct44.1°F / 6.7°C49.1°F / 9.5°CNo reliable record—
Nov29.8°F / -1.2°C42.9°F / 6.1°CNo reliable record—
Dec17.1°F / -8.3°C41.1°F / 5.1°CNo reliable record—
Air temperatureRegional average — not site-specific

NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals — Duluth, MN

1991–2020 climate normalsReview source ↗
Surface-water temperatureRegional average — not site-specific

NOAA NCEI Coastal Water Temperature Guide — West Superior

Historical monthly station averagesReview source ↗

Bottom temperature is never inferred from surface temperature. A blank month means no reliable depth-specific average is available. Data reviewed 2026-08-26.

Why divers know this place

Highlights

National Park Service documented Apostle Islands dive site.

Regional context

Located within

Before you arrive

Access notes

National Park Service area; confirm access rules, lake conditions, weather and any permit or vessel requirements before departure.

Plan within your training

Conditions and hazards

Cold water, rapidly changing Lake Superior weather, waves, current, low visibility and site-specific overhead or wreck hazards.

Independent resource notice

This record is a starting point for independent verification. Access, closures, moorings, weather, currents, depth, visibility, operator availability, and site conditions can change without notice. Confirm current information with the responsible operator, property owner, managing authority, or another qualified local source before planning or attempting a dive.