How deep is SS America Wreck?

SS America Wreck ranges from 0.6 to 26 metres deep (2–85 feet). It is a freshwater site rated as intermediate difficulty. Depths vary across the site, so plan your profile to your training and verify conditions locally.

Is SS America Wreck a shore dive or a boat dive?

SS America Wreck is a boat dive — access is by boat rather than from shore. The entry area is recorded as sheltered from surge. No facilities are recorded at the site, and cell service is recorded as good. Entry details and parking notes, where known, are listed in the access section of this page.

Can beginners dive SS America Wreck?

SS America Wreck is rated as intermediate difficulty, which may not suit new divers. Listed depths run from 0.6 to 26 metres (2–85 feet). Access is by boat. Consider your experience level, conditions, and local guidance before planning.

When is the best time to dive SS America Wreck?

June-September; note the wreck is closed to divers 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. ET daily for ferry viewing. Park closed November 1 to mid-April; wreck closed to diving daily 10:00-12:00 ET for ferry wreck-viewing. Conditions vary, so check the latest reports and forecasts on the dive site page before your trip.

What will I see at SS America Wreck?

Divers at SS America Wreck in United States commonly report sightings of Lake trout and Burbot. Lake trout and Burbot are reported only occasionally. Marine life varies by season and conditions—check the site page for recent diver observations and photos.

Add the first photo

IntermediateBoat entry

SS America Wreck

Michigan, United States

Open Water suggestedVery cold water even in summer1–26 m depthBoat entry

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

SS America Wreck at a glance

SS America Wreck is an intermediate boat dive site in Michigan, United States with depths of 0.6–26 m (2–85 ft). Typically most favorable Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Lake trout and Burbot. Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Wind model · graded 2h ago

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Tap a factor for its source and model point

Site hazards: Very cold water even in summer · Penetration hazards · Ferry and boat traffic through the North Gap

All 4 hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Mon

Fri14:00–20:00

Sat8:00–15:00

Sun17:00–18:00

Mon8:00–18:00

Tue15:00–21:00

Wed8:00–21:00

Thu8:00–21:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 6:57 · Sunrise 7:29 · Sunset 20:17

Source: Open-Meteo wind · graded 2h 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.

Dived here today — did the forecast match?

What Divers Say

Best time: June-September; note the wreck is closed to divers 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. ET daily for ferry viewing.

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.

Jan44% 15 kn
Feb41% 15 kn
Mar51% 14 kn
Apr49% 14 kn
May61% 13 kn
Jun66% 11 kn
Jul83% 10 kn
Aug76% 11 kn
Sep73% 12 kn
Oct51% 14 kn
Nov31% 16 kn
Dec42% 16 kn

July 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

Fills & rentals nearby

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

Data updated June 2026

Site details

The package freighter America ran onto a reef in the North Gap of Washington Harbor in June 1928 and slid down the slope, where she lies on an incline with her bow just 2-4 ft below the surface and her stern at about 85 ft. The midship and stern remain intact, including the engine room, galley, and numerous passenger cabins, making her the most dived and most beloved wreck at Isle Royale — visible even to ferry passengers passing overhead. Her sheltered location makes her divable in most weather.

boatwreck

Very cold water even in summer

Penetration hazards — engine room, galley and cabins are a maze of confined, silty passages

Ferry and boat traffic through the North Gap

Remoteness; nearest chambers Minneapolis/Milwaukee

Reviews

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