How deep is SS Emperor Wreck?

SS Emperor Wreck ranges from 7.6 to 53.3 metres deep (25–175 feet) — a deep dive at its limit. It is a freshwater site rated as advanced difficulty. Depths vary across the site, so plan your profile to your training and verify conditions locally.

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

SS Emperor Wreck is a boat dive — access is by boat rather than from shore. The entry area is recorded as exposed to 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 Emperor Wreck?

SS Emperor Wreck is rated as advanced difficulty, which may not suit new divers. Listed depths run from 7.6 to 53.3 metres (25–175 feet). Access is by boat. Consider your experience level, conditions, and local guidance before planning.

When is the best time to dive SS Emperor Wreck?

June-September on calm, clear days. Park closed November 1 to mid-April; practical dive season June-September. Conditions vary, so check the latest reports and forecasts on the dive site page before your trip.

What will I see at SS Emperor Wreck?

Divers at SS Emperor 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

AdvancedBoat entry

SS Emperor Wreck

Michigan, United States

AOW suggestedStern section (engine room, crew quarters) lies at 100-175 ft8–53 m depthBoat entry

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

SS Emperor Wreck at a glance

SS Emperor Wreck is an advanced boat dive site in Michigan, United States with depths of 7.6–53.3 m (25–175 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: Stern section (engine room, crew quarters) lies at 100-175 ft · Very cold water; elevated DCS risk · Penetration hazards

All 5 hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Wed

Fri18:00–21:00

Sat8:00–9:00

Sun8:00–19:00

Mon8:00–18:00

Tue19:00–20:00

Wed8:00–21:00

Thu13:00–14:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 6:54 · Sunrise 7:25 · Sunset 20:15

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 on calm, clear days.

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.

Jan40% 15 kn
Feb40% 15 kn
Mar49% 14 kn
Apr44% 15 kn
May59% 13 kn
Jun72% 12 kn
Jul86% 10 kn
Aug76% 12 kn
Sep70% 12 kn
Oct43% 15 kn
Nov32% 16 kn
Dec45% 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 Emperor, a 525-ft Canadian bulk freighter, struck Canoe Rocks on June 4, 1947 while her exhausted first mate had the watch, sinking in under an hour with the loss of twelve crew. The wreck is essentially intact apart from the damaged bow area, sloping from about 25 ft at the bow down to 175 ft at the stern, where the engine room and crew quarters draw experienced deep divers. With NPS moorings on both sections, she is widely regarded as the signature wreck dive of Isle Royale alongside the America.

boatwreck

Stern section (engine room, crew quarters) lies at 100-175 ft — decompression territory

Very cold water; elevated DCS risk

Penetration hazards — twelve crew died in the sinking and the interior is confined and silty

Extreme remoteness; chambers in Minneapolis/Milwaukee

Exposed Canoe Rocks location

Reviews

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