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Map of Sandusky Wreck (Straits of Mackinac Shipwreck Preserve)
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IntermediateBoat entry

Sandusky Wreck (Straits of Mackinac Shipwreck Preserve)

Michigan, United States
AOW suggested21–26 m (70–84 ft) depthBoat entry

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

Sandusky Wreck (Straits of Mackinac Shipwreck Preserve) at a glance

Sandusky Wreck (Straits of Mackinac Shipwreck Preserve) is an intermediate boat dive site in Michigan, United States with depths of 21.3–25.6 m (70–84 ft). Typically most favorable Aug · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Zebra/quagga mussel, Burbot, and Lake trout. Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

No window today· next: tomorrow 9:00–19:00 · favorable

Wind forecast for this hour · 22:00 · run 9 h ago
—

Tap a factor for its source and model point

Site hazards: Strong currents possible in the Straits, ship traffic, cold water, fragile aging structure

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Lightest wind: Wed
FriNo window

5 kn wind (5 kn wind)

Sat9:00–19:00 favorable

5 kn wind (5 kn wind)

Sun10:00–12:00 moderate, 12:00–19:00 favorable

11 kn wind (11 kn wind)

Mon9:00–19:00 favorable

7 kn wind (7 kn wind)

Tue9:00–16:00 favorable, 16:00–19:00 moderate

12 kn wind (12 kn wind)

Wed9:00–19:00 favorable

4 kn wind (4 kn wind)

ThuNo window

21 kn wind (21 kn wind)

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 7:36 · Sunrise 8:07 · Sunset 18:39 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo wind · updated 23 Oct, 13:24 GMT-4

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Sandusky Wreck (Straits of Mackinac Shipwreck Preserve)

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: Zebra/quagga mussel, Burbot, Round goby
Best time: June-early September while moorings are in place

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, 84% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 10 knots
  2. February, 79% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 11 knots
  3. March, 78% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 11 knots
  4. April, 76% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 11 knots
  5. May, 95% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots
  6. June, 91% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots
  7. July, 97% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 8 knots
  8. August, 99% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots, historically most favorable
  9. September, 97% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 8 knots
  10. October, 88% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 10 knots
  11. November, 79% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 11 knots
  12. December, 82% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 11 knots

August 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 Sandusky is an 1848 two-masted brig, the oldest known dived shipwreck in the Straits of Mackinac Shipwreck Preserve, lost with all hands in a September 1856 gale while carrying grain from Chicago to Buffalo. Her hull sits intact in about 85 ft of Lake Michigan five miles west of the Mackinac Bridge, slightly heeled to port, with deck depths around 70 ft. A replica scroll figurehead adorns the bow below the intact jib-boom, and the windlass, bilge pumps and centerboard winch remain in place; a seasonal mooring buoy marks the site.

boatwreck

Strong currents possible in the Straits, ship traffic, cold water, fragile aging structure

Reviews

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