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Map of Francisco Morazan Wreck (Manitou Passage Underwater Preserve)
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Francisco Morazan Wreck (Manitou Passage Underwater Preserve)

Michigan, United States
Open Water suggested0–5 m depthBoth entry

Francisco Morazan Wreck (Manitou Passage Underwater Preserve) at a glance

Francisco Morazan Wreck (Manitou Passage Underwater Preserve) is a both dive site in Michigan, United States with depths of 0–4.6 m (0–15 ft). Typically most favorable Sep · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Double-crested cormorant (nesting on wreck), Smallmouth bass, and Round goby. Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Wind model · graded 3h ago
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Tap a factor for its source and model point

Site hazards: Jagged collapsing steel that can cut divers or snag gear, surge and waves on the exposed south shore, cold water, remote location with no emergency services on island

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Mon
Sun7:00–22:00
Mon7:00–22:00
Tue7:00–22:00
Wed7:00–22:00
Thu7:00–22:00
Fri7:00–22:00
Sat7:00–22:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 5:49 · Sunrise 6:23 · Sunset 21:18

Source: Open-Meteo wind · graded 3h ago

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Recent diver reports

Dated firsthand observations from divers — not current conditions.

No diver reports for this site yet. — one dated observation helps every diver after you.

What Divers Say

Known for: Smallmouth bass, Round goby, Crayfish
Best time: Calm days July-August

Based on community reviews and site data. Conditions vary — always verify before diving.

Best months, historically

What conditions have historically been typical at this site, month by month — not a forecast.

  1. Jan53% 14 kn
  2. Feb44% 15 kn
  3. Mar52% 14 kn
  4. Apr52% 14 kn
  5. May80% 11 kn
  6. Jun73% 11 kn
  7. Jul86% 11 kn
  8. Aug81% 11 kn
  9. Sep88% 11 kn
  10. Oct54% 14 kn
  11. Nov34% 16 kn
  12. Dec44% 15 kn

September hastypically had the largest share of favorable days here. Conditions vary year to year — this is historical context, not a forecast.

Based on 3 years of archive data. Bar height shows the share of days each month whose conditions have historically scored favorably.

Marine life seen at this site

Species noted at this site — not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

  • Double-crested cormorant (nesting on wreck)Seasonal
  • Smallmouth bassCommonly seen
  • Round gobyCommonly seen
  • CrayfishCommonly seen

Fills & rentals nearby

No dive shops mapped within 25 km. Know one? Add it to the map.

Site details

The Francisco Morazan is a 246-ft steel package freighter that ran aground in a November 1960 snowstorm about 300 yards off the south shore of South Manitou Island, partly atop the older wreck of the Walter L. Frost. Part of the superstructure still breaks the surface, making it the most visible wreck in the Manitou Passage Underwater Preserve, snorkelable and divable in roughly 0-15 ft of water within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Strong swimmers reach it from the island beach; most visitors come by kayak or boat, and the collapsing steel demands care.

boatshorewreck

Jagged collapsing steel that can cut divers or snag gear, surge and waves on the exposed south shore, cold water, remote location with no emergency services on island

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