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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 depthBoat entry

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

SS Cayuga Wreck at a glance

SS Cayuga Wreck is a 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.

Wind model · graded 3h ago
—

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

Best: Sat
Sun7:00–22:00
Mon7:00–22:00
Tue7:00–22:00
Wed7:00–22:00
Thu7:00–22:00
Fri7:00–22:00
Sat7:00–22:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 5:42 · Sunrise 6:17 · Sunset 21:16

Source: Open-Meteo wind · graded 3h ago

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

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.

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. Jan56% 14 kn
  2. Feb46% 15 kn
  3. Mar55% 14 kn
  4. Apr52% 14 kn
  5. May75% 12 kn
  6. Jun76% 11 kn
  7. Jul91% 9 kn
  8. Aug83% 10 kn
  9. Sep92% 10 kn
  10. Oct58% 13 kn
  11. Nov32% 16 kn
  12. Dec37% 16 kn

September 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

  • BurbotOccasionally seen
  • Quagga musselCommonly seen
  • Round gobyCommonly seen

Fills & rentals nearby

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

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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