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Map of Madeira Wreck
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IntermediateBoth

Madeira Wreck

Minnesota, United StatesDirections
AOW suggested3–33 m (10–108 ft) depthBoth entry

Madeira Wreck at a glance

Madeira Wreck is an intermediate both dive site in Minnesota, United States with depths of 3–33 m (10–108 ft). Typically most favorable Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Lake trout, Sculpin, and Burbot. Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Moderate window now· until 13:00, then favorable & moderate until 18:00

Wind forecast for this hour · 11:00 · run 23 h ago
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Tap a factor for its source and model point

Site hazards: Depth · Site has had diver fatalities

All 5 hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Sun11:00–13:00 moderate, 13:00–14:00 favorable, 14:00–18:00 moderate

5 kn wind (5 kn wind)

Mon8:00–18:00 favorable

9 kn wind (9 kn wind)

Tue9:00–11:00 moderate, 12:00–18:00 moderate

17 kn wind (17 kn wind)

Wed8:00–9:00 moderate

9 kn wind (9 kn wind)

Thu8:00–18:00 moderate

7 kn wind (7 kn wind)

Fri8:00–18:00 moderate

12 kn wind (12 kn wind)

SatNot in the forecast yet

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

Every forecast dive window each day, site-local time, from wind forecasts. Numbers under each bar are daylight averages.

First light 7:07 · Sunrise 7:38 · Sunset 18:00 · all windows sit within daylight

Source: Open-Meteo wind · updated 24 Oct, 12:18 GMT-5

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Madeira Wreck

Forecast · NOAA tide model

Tide & slack timing

Loading tide predictions

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.

Dived here today — did the forecast match?

What Divers Say

Best time: June-September on flat-calm days; visibility 20-60 ft, often best in late summer/fall.

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. January, 22% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 18 knots
  2. February, 22% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 18 knots
  3. March, 17% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 19 knots
  4. April, 19% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 19 knots
  5. May, 19% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 18 knots
  6. June, 32% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 15 knots
  7. July, 60% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 14 knots, historically most favorable
  8. August, 51% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 14 knots
  9. September, 38% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 15 knots
  10. October, 29% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 17 knots
  11. November, 23% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 18 knots
  12. December, 24% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 19 knots

July has typically 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

Rough labels: “Commonly seen” usually means two or more recorded sightings near this site in public dive logs (GBIF), “Occasionally seen” one; “Seasonal” and “Rarely seen” come from dive-guide research. Not a measured rate.

Fills & rentals nearby

No dive shops mapped within 25 km (16 mi). Know one? Add it to the map.

Data updated June 2026

Site details

The Madeira was a 436-foot steel schooner-barge driven onto Gold Rock Point beside Split Rock Lighthouse in the great Mataafa Storm of November 28, 1905. The hull broke into several large sections that now lie from about 10 feet down past 100 feet along the base of the cliff, including the pilothouse, bow and huge hull plates. It is the most famous and most dived shipwreck in Minnesota, reachable as a strenuous shore dive from the beach north of the lighthouse or, more comfortably, by charter boat. Cold water, depth and exposure to northeast seas demand solid cold-water skills.

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Very cold water at depth (often 2-4 C below the thermocline)

Demanding shore entry with wave action on cobble/rock beach

Long, steep gear carry from parking and long surface swim

Depth — stern sections drop past 30 m

Site has had diver fatalities — conservative planning required

Reviews

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