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Lake Superior - Apostle Islands
 Bayfield, WI
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Max Depth: 21-25ft/6-8m
Entry Type: Boat
Bottom Composition: Clay/Muck
Aquatic Life: Might See Something
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Summer: Under 50°F/10°C
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Lake Superior - Apostle Islands is a boat accessible fresh water dive site, located in Bayfield, WI. The maximum depth is 21-25ft/6-8m.
Clean, clear water, underwater rock formations, and fascinating shipwrecks combine to provide outstanding diving opportunities at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.
To help keep your dive safe and enjoyable, consider the following:
Lake Superior is famous for violent weather. Monitor current weather conditions and marine weather forecasts.
Check the latest near-shore marine forecast in season.
Water temperatures vary with the season. Surface temperatures can reach 70 degrees F in summer, but even then divers will find underwater temperatures in the 40s and 50s. A full quarter-inch wet suit is recommended. Dry suits should be used in spring and fall
Visibility normally ranges from 10 to 80 feet, but can be reduced to zero under certain weather conditions. Murky runoff after storms can cloud visibility near mainland sites.
Diving parties should be know CPR and emergency procedures. Carry an adequate first-aid kit including an oxygen delivery system.
In an emergency, contact a park ranger. Rangers and the U.S. Coast Guard monitor marine channel 16.
We recommend that all boaters use NOAA Charts #14973 or #14966 for navigational purposes.
Licensed charter dive boat service is available in Bayfield. Lake charts and other publications, including The Unholy Apostles - Shipwreck Tales of the Apostle Islands, are available through mail order or at the headquarters visitor center in Bayfield.
Dive Sites
Sea Caves and Cliffs
Sandstone caves carved into shoreline cliffs by wave action. Visibility varies due to erosion of clay soils into the lake. Calm conditions necessary for access. Depths: 10 to 25 feet.
Devils Island, north end.
(WGS 84) N47 04 51.2 W90 43 46.7
Sand Island, northeast side.
(WGS 84) N46 59 26.5 W90 55 31.9
Stockton Island, northeast side.
(WGS 84) N46 57 24.7 W90 30 27.6
"The Wall" Submerged sandstone ledges dropping into deep water. Depth: drops sharply to 100+ feet. Location: Stockton Island, southwest side.
(WGS 84) N46 54 11.1 W90 38 10.1
Historic Docks
Submerged dock cribs near sandstone quarries active in 1890s. Depths: 4 to 25 feet.
A National Park Service Diving Permit is required for diving within park
boundaries, which includes all waters within one quarter mile of the
shore. These free permits are available at park headquarters in Bayfield
or by calling (715) 779-3398 x 100. Your diving registration helps us
manage underwater sites.
Dive sites or boats must be marked with the standard diving flag (white
diagonal stripe on a red background) or the "Alpha" flag (blue and
white) whenever divers are in the water.
When diving on a shipwreck, avoid setting your anchor into the wreck itself.