Scuba Diving and Snorkelling in the Fathom Five National Marine Park
Much like the other Great Lakes, the Georgian Bay is a notoriously dangerous place to sail because its islands rise abruptly from the surface, with sharp inclines descending rapidly below. Consequently, early mariners would often crash into these unpredictable shallow shoals and meet a watery grave. A whopping 22 shipwrecks–most are original although some were sunk by Tobermory Martime to create new dive sites—lie within the Fathom Five National Marine Park alone.
And with crystal clear waters creating ideal conditions to explore these nautical relics, the park has earned a reputation for being among the best freshwater SCUBA destinations on earth. Europeans, Americans, and Canadians alike flock to Five Fathom in droves to dive its watery wrecks.
If exploring centuries-old submerged vessels in near-perfect visibility sounds like your cup of tea, then get ready to have an unfathomably good time.
Dive Shops In Tobermory
SCUBA divers will need to get in touch with a local dive shop to organize a wreck dive in the Fathom Five National Marine Park.
These operators can organize training courses, charter trips, and guided dives with qualified dive masters.
Snorkelling Tours of the Fathom Five National Marine Park
If you’re not into SCUBA, the local dive shops also run daily snorkelling trips during the warmer months. These tours last two to four hours and visit shallow shipwrecks just below the surface. All excursions are accessible to first-time snorkelers.
Another option is to bring a snorkel from home (or rent one from a dive shop) then swim out to the Sweepstakes and City of Grand Rapids wrecks in Big Tub Harbour. These twin sites lie within 50 metres of the shore and can safely be explored by any confident swimmer.
Logistics
All SCUBA divers must pay a nominal daily marine park fee of approximately $5 at the Fathom Five National Marine Park Visitor Centre (snorkelers are exempt). Alternatively, pay the fee directly to your dive shop.
The Peninsula Medical Associates in Tobermory has one of the only hyperbaric facilities in Canada.
Dive Sites
At least 29 dive sites are available to explore throughout the park, ranging from shallow beginner-friendly spots to advanced deep dives of 40 metres or more.
Novice divers should opt to explore the five sites within Little Tub and Big Tub Harbour, many of which focus on shallow wrecks and are accessible from the shore.
Other dive sites around the region are open water and require a tour or charter boat to reach.
| Name | Type | Date Sunk | Qualifications | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Niagra | Wreck | 1999 | Open Water + Advanced | 33 m |
| Arabia | Wreck | 1884 | Open Water + Advanced | 32 m |
| Caroline Rose | Wreck | 1990 | Open Water | 16 m |
| Charles P Minch | Wreck | 1898 | Open Water | 17 m |
| Philo Scoville | Wreck | 1889 | Advanced | 28 m |
| Forest City | Wreck | 1904 | Advanced | 46 m |
| James C King | Wreck | 1901 | Intermediate | 27 m |
| The Tugs | Wreck | 1905 | Advanced | 14 m |
| W.L Wetmore | Wreck | 1901 | Open Water | 7 m |
| The Caves | Cave | - | Cave Diving | 12 m |
| Lighthouse Point | Open Water | - | Open Water + Advanced | 23 m |
