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Map of SS Cayuga Wreck
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SS Cayuga Wreck

Michigan, United States
AOW suggestedSite sits directly on an active shipping lane20–31 m (67–102 ft) depthBoat entry

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

SS Cayuga Wreck at a glance

SS Cayuga Wreck is an advanced boat dive site in Michigan, United States with depths of 20.4–31.1 m (67–102 ft). Typically most favorable Sep · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Burbot, Quagga mussel, and Round goby. Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Next window today· 9:00–19:00 · favorable & moderate · sunset 18:36

Wind forecast for this hour · 6:00 · run 17 h ago
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Tap a factor for its source and model point

Site hazards: Site sits directly on an active shipping lane · Cold water and thermoclines · Lies outside the formal preserve boundary

All 5 hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Mon9:00–14:00 moderate, 14:00–16:00 favorable, 16:00–17:00 moderate, 17:00–19:00 favorable

15 kn wind (15 kn wind)

Tue9:00–12:00 moderate, 12:00–18:00 favorable, 18:00–19:00 moderate

13 kn wind (13 kn wind)

Wed9:00–10:00 moderate, 12:00–18:00 moderate

12 kn wind (12 kn wind)

Thu12:00–14:00 moderate, 14:00–19:00 favorable

14 kn wind (14 kn wind)

Fri12:00–18:00 moderate, 18:00–19:00 favorable

16 kn wind (16 kn wind)

Sat9:00–15:00 moderate, 15:00–19:00 favorable

15 kn wind (15 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 7:42 · Sunrise 8:12 · Sunset 18:36 · some windows run past sunset

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

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near SS Cayuga 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

Known for: Quagga mussel, Round goby
Best time: June-September in calm conditions.

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, 56% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 14 knots
  2. February, 46% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 15 knots
  3. March, 55% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 14 knots
  4. April, 52% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 14 knots
  5. May, 75% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 12 knots
  6. June, 76% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 11 knots
  7. July, 91% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots
  8. August, 83% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 10 knots
  9. September, 92% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 10 knots, historically most favorable
  10. October, 58% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 13 knots
  11. November, 32% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 16 knots
  12. December, 37% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 16 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

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

Data updated June 2026

Site details

The Cayuga, one of five early steel sister-ship steamers, sank in 25 minutes on May 10, 1895 after the wooden steamer Joseph L. Hurd struck her starboard side in dense fog near Ile Aux Galets, west of the Straits of Mackinac. She lies in 67-102 ft with a slight port list: the bow is broken off and rotated while the relatively intact stern allows limited penetration, and pontoons from failed 1890s salvage attempts still litter the site. Because she sits on the shipping lane just outside the preserve boundary, careful boat handling and surface protocol are essential.

boatwreck

Site sits directly on an active shipping lane — maintain the dive flag and time dives carefully

Mooring is often marked only by a small jug at the surface

Cold water and thermoclines

Collapsing structure forward of the engine room; penetration of the stern requires training

Lies outside the formal preserve boundary

Reviews

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