NBM Dive Site Resource
Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Alpena, Michigan, United States
A broad Lake Huron dive area protecting nearly 100 historic shipwrecks across many depths and experience levels. This area card does not identify one exact dive site.
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Historic Picture Placeholder
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.
Lake Trout
Salvelinus namaycushNOAA specifically notes that stealthy divers exploring Thunder Bay shipwrecks may encounter lake trout, especially in deeper open water.
Knepp Timothy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceOpen Aquatic Life Profile →
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieuNOAA lists smallmouth bass among fish observed around shipwrecks and other scuba-diving sites in the Thunder Bay region.
Eric Engbretson, U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceOpen Aquatic Life Profile →
Walleye
Sander vitreusNOAA lists walleye among fish observed around shipwrecks and other scuba-diving sites in the Thunder Bay region.
Sam Stukel/USFWSOpen Aquatic Life Profile →
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
NOAA protects a nationally significant Lake Huron shipwreck collection centered on Alpena and extending into the Presque Isle area.
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.
NOAA-listed Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary shipwreck with a seasonal mooring supporting responsible diving or snorkeling access.
Open dive-site profile →ShipwreckAmerican UnionAlpena, Michigan · Depth not yet supplied in NOAA mooring overviewNOAA-listed Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary shipwreck with a seasonal mooring supporting responsible diving or snorkeling access.
Open dive-site profile →ShipwreckBarge No. 1Alpena, Michigan · Depth not yet supplied in NOAA mooring overviewNOAA-listed Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary shipwreck with a seasonal mooring supporting responsible diving or snorkeling access.
Open dive-site profile →ShipwreckBay CityAlpena, Michigan · Depth not yet supplied in NOAA mooring overviewNOAA-listed Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary shipwreck with a seasonal mooring supporting responsible diving or snorkeling access.
Open dive-site profile →ShipwreckChester B. JonesAlpena, Michigan · Depth not yet supplied in NOAA mooring overviewNOAA-listed Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary shipwreck with a seasonal mooring supporting responsible diving or snorkeling access.
Open dive-site profile →ShipwreckCity of AlpenaAlpena, Michigan · Depth not yet supplied in NOAA mooring overviewNOAA-listed Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary shipwreck with a seasonal mooring supporting responsible diving or snorkeling access.
Open dive-site profile →Plan the trip
Dive boats that serve this area
Before you arrive
Access notes
Use this record to discover operators serving the sanctuary, then confirm the exact destination directly with the operator.
Plan within your training
Conditions and hazards
Cold water, rapidly changing weather, boat traffic, depth and overhead hazards vary by exact site.
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.