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 Diving in Ontario - Point Traverse

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Dive site characteristics

Types Conditions Services Planning

Diving notes

Note: the page is under construction. For the time being, information is approximate.   The picture on the left shows the quay of Point Traverse from which departures might take place. The central picture shows a view of lake Ontario in the heading direction. The picture on the right shows the diveshop (come departures can take place from the quay located on the back side). Except for some few exceptions, most of the wrecks in the area are in deep waters. Divers have to use the services of a charter. A charter might do on average 2 to 3 excursions per day, according to the requests, the last one is usually for a night dive. The service costs can vary from 50$ up to 80$ for two dives (for more details please consult the "Divers services" down below). You have to make a reservation for your dives and sign a waiver. For the dives on remote sites away from the Point Traverse area, it is largely known that South-Westerly winds arrive every afternoon and can carry waves of more than 6ft high. Dive on remote sites is a morning activity with a very early departure, boat usually leaves at around 8 o’clock (please get informed). For most of the dives, departures are done from the quay indicated by the charter (ask for the rendez-vous as well as the parking localization). The travel duration for a dive is about 4 hours, but can vary according to distance and weather conditions. Think to bring a quick lunch, water and a sun screen (ask your charter). For the localization of sites, most of the popular dive sites are marked with a buoy. The dive is done by a descent and an ascent along the anchor line. There is no current (except on some sites, like on the Wolf Islander II site where it is nearly non detectable). Water temperature is around 60°F. For most of the dives in a lake, a thermocline can be observed most of the time. There is no exception to the rule. The presence of a thermocline can be noticed between 30 and 40 ft where the temperature drops of 10°F. One of the Great Lakes characteristics is the presence of a second thermocline at around 60-70 ft where temperature drops of an additionnal 10°F. It is mostly recommanded to use a 7mm wet suit with a hood, gloves and boots. A dry suit is also recommended with thermal underwears. About the visibility, it increases under the thermocline. About luminosity, it is recommended to bring a lamp having a good intensity.

Entry points

Note: directions are accurate as possible. It is recommended to go with someone who knows the site.

Site   Depth   Characteristics  Weather To display on Google map, click on .  1- Cabine & habitat 30′  You make the entry from behind the dive shop. You make a surface swim and descend along the buoy line.  2- Echo 22′    N43 56.19 W76 49.54 The wreck is located at about half a mile of Gull bar near False Duck Island.  3- Banshee 18′    N43 56.14 W76 50.04 The wreck lies between Timber Island and Duck Island not very far from the Echo.  4- Florence 40-50′    N43 57.49 W76 49.00 A about 300′ off Timber Island.  5- Annie Falconer 67-78′    N45 58.10 W76 48.64 The wreck lies at 1.5 mile North of False Duck Island.  6- Kattie Eccle 102′    N44 00.624 W76 44.614 The wreck lies to the northeast of False Duck Island.  7- China 104′    N43 58.581 W76 46.446 The wreck lies to the northeast of False Duck Island.  8- Alberta 106′    W76 53.054 N44 05.822 The wreck lies opposite Prinyer’s Cove, East of Picton.  9- Fabiola 55′    N43 56.52 W76 47.38 The wreck lies to the Southeast corner of False Duck Island. 10- Manola 45-82′  The wreck lies to the southeast of False Duck Island. 11- Olive Branch 90-101′    N43 55.906 W76 44.269 The wreck lies to the southeast of False Duck Island. 12- Oliver Mowat 105′    N43 55.40 W76 44.05 The wreck lies to the southeast of False Duck Island. 13- John Randall 20′  The wreck lies in the School House Bay of Main Duck Island. 14- Atlasco 43′    N43 52.76 W76 58.90 The wreck lies South Ostrander Point, near Point Traverse. 15- R.H. Rae 105′    N45 53 03 W76 50 51 The wreck lies South of Point Traverse.

Road directions

Approximative travel time : 4:00 hrs From hightway 401, take one of the exits from 522 up to 566 and take a South direction toward Picton, follow the road signs. To get to the Duck’s Dive shop From Picton, heading South take road 8, then take road 17. At the end, turn left on road 16. At the end, turn right on road 13. Follow up to the dive shop which will be on the left side (a dive flag can be seen).

Diver’s services

Services   Address        Phone        Description  Duck's Dive Point Traverse RR#3 Picton 613 476-3764 boat charter, air, rentals (call before), cottage rentals Archives and Collections Society 2, Gladstone Ave, Picton 613 476-1177 maritime history and conservation Mariners Park Museum Road 10 & 13 junction, Picton   maritime museum

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