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Map of Montana Wreck (Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary)
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IntermediateBoat entry

Montana Wreck (Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary)

Michigan, United States
Open Water suggested11–20 m (36–66 ft) depthBoat entry

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

Montana Wreck (Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary) at a glance

Montana Wreck (Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary) is an intermediate boat dive site in Michigan, United States with depths of 11–20.1 m (36–66 ft). Typically most favorable Sep · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Burbot, Walleye, and Round goby. Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Next window today· 9:00–19:00 · favorable & moderate · sunset 18:30

Wind forecast for this hour · 7:00 · run 18 h ago
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Tap a factor for its source and model point

Site hazards: Cold fresh water, boat traffic, collapsed/broken bow timbers, mild exposure to Lake Huron weather

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Lightest wind: Sat
Mon9:00–15:00 favorable, 15:00–17:00 moderate, 17:00–19:00 favorable

13 kn wind (13 kn wind)

Tue9:00–19:00 favorable

10 kn wind (10 kn wind)

Wed9:00–11:00 moderate, 11:00–19:00 favorable

10 kn wind (10 kn wind)

Thu16:00–17:00 moderate, 17:00–19:00 favorable

9 kn wind (9 kn wind)

Fri9:00–19:00 favorable

13 kn wind (13 kn wind)

Sat9:00–19:00 favorable

6 kn wind (6 kn wind)

SunNot 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 7:33 · Sunrise 8:03 · Sunset 18:30 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo wind · updated 25 Oct, 13:24 GMT-4

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Montana Wreck (Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary)

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

Known for: Round goby, Smallmouth bass, Zebra/quagga mussel
Best time: June-September; best visibility often early summer

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, 72% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 12 knots
  2. February, 62% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 13 knots
  3. March, 59% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 13 knots
  4. April, 54% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 13 knots
  5. May, 88% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 10 knots
  6. June, 90% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 10 knots
  7. July, 91% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots
  8. August, 89% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 10 knots
  9. September, 98% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots, historically most favorable
  10. October, 84% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 11 knots
  11. November, 61% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 13 knots
  12. December, 62% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 13 knots

September 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

Facts from OpenStreetMap, corrected by the community — listed by distance only. Details change; confirm with the shop.

Shop facts come from OpenStreetMap and community corrections, shown nearest first. PickADive lists facts and contacts only — no listing is sponsored or ranked.

Data updated June 2026

Site details

The Montana was a 236-ft wooden steam package freighter that burned to the waterline and sank in Thunder Bay, Lake Huron in 1914. She rests in about 63-66 ft of water within Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary near Alpena, with an intact power train: a massive boiler, a three-story steam engine rising roughly 30 ft off the bottom, drive shaft and propeller. NOAA maintains seasonal bow and stern mooring buoys, and the wreck attracts game fish, making it a favorite for photographers.

boatwreck

Cold fresh water, boat traffic, collapsed/broken bow timbers, mild exposure to Lake Huron weather

Reviews

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