NBM Dive Site Resource
Straits of Mackinac Underwater Preserve
Mackinaw City, Michigan, United States
A regional dive area at the meeting of Lakes Michigan and Huron, known for shipwreck and shore-diving opportunities. This area card does not identify one exact dive site.
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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.
Aquatic life research in progress
NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.
Aquatic life research in progress
NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.
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.
Contributor media
Dive videos
Three featured video positions are reserved on every profile.Published reference location
Location map
The marker shows the public coordinates associated with this profile. Confirm current access, moorings, and departure details before the dive.Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
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.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.
Why divers know this place
Highlights
The preserve spans the Straits at the northern ends of Lakes Michigan and Huron and includes buoyed wrecks and shore-diving options.
Dive-area module
Area coverage
This profile represents a preserve, sanctuary, park, or regional dive area rather than one underwater site. The sourced inventory below links to the named sites documented within its boundaries.
Official inventory
Dive sites within this area
These named sites come from an authoritative preserve, sanctuary, park, or historical inventory. Their inclusion does not mean every connected boat visits them.
Cedarville is a shipwreck lost in 1965 and listed by the Straits of Mackinac Underwater Preserve.
Open dive-site profile →ShipwreckCayugaMackinaw City, Michigan · 100 ftCayuga is a shipwreck lost in 1895 and listed by the Straits of Mackinac Underwater Preserve.
Open dive-site profile →ShipwreckColonel EllsworthMackinaw City, Michigan · 70–85 ftColonel Ellsworth is a shipwreck lost in 1896 and listed by the Straits of Mackinac Underwater Preserve.
Open dive-site profile →ShipwreckDolphinMackinaw City, Michigan · 110 ftDolphin is a shipwreck lost in 1869 and listed by the Straits of Mackinac Underwater Preserve.
Open dive-site profile →ShipwreckEber WardMackinaw City, Michigan · 110–145 ftTECHNICAL DIVE REQUIRED FOR THE DEEPER SECTIONS — Eber Ward is a shipwreck lost in 1909 and listed by the Straits of Mackinac Underwater Preserve.
Open dive-site profile →ShipwreckElvaMackinaw City, Michigan · 120–124 ftElva is a shipwreck lost in 1954 and listed by the Straits of Mackinac Underwater Preserve.
Open dive-site profile →Plan the trip
Dive boats that serve this area
Before you arrive
Access notes
The preserve is a broad planning region. Confirm the exact site and current access with the operator. This map point is an approximate regional center, not a wreck, buoy, entry point, or navigation coordinate. Open an individual dive-site profile and confirm current information with the managing agency or operator before diving.
Plan within your training
Conditions and hazards
Strong currents, changing weather, cold water, boat traffic and site-specific depth require local planning.
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.