Scuba Diving in the North Channel of Lake Ontario provides high-visibility access to the “Amherst Island Graveyard” shipwrecks. Divers can explore historic sites like the Comet sidewheel steamer from the village of Bath, where cold freshwater preserves 19th-century maritime history in depths ranging from 20 to 100 feet.
Ontario is considered the freshwater diving capital of the world, and Lennox & Addington gives divers a reason to understand why. Scuba diving here centres on the “Amherst Island Graveyard,” a concentration of historic vessels held together by the cold, still freshwater of Lake Ontario.Â
The village of Bath has been a working maritime hub for centuries, and its position near these underwater sites makes it a natural home base for both technical and recreational divers. The North Channel off Amherst Island tends to run clearer than other parts of the lake, and on a good day you can make out the lines of a hull, the curve of a boiler, or the spokes of a paddle-wheel well before you reach them.
What to Expect
Here’s What’s Different
- The Comet still holds rare, intact paddle-wheels and engine components from a mid-1800s steamer, visible at around 70 feet.
- Freshwater preservation keeps wooden hulls intact for over 150 years without salt-water decay. On some vessels, the grain of the wood is still visible.
- The “Amherst Island Graveyard” contains a high density of wrecks within a small geographic area. Although not many of these once-great ships remain intact, the Cornwall and the Maoleglen are the most recognizable to explore. Others sit in various states of disarray, with large propellers, rudders, and boilers still where they settled.
Good to Know
- All shipwrecks are protected under the Ontario Heritage Act; removing any artifacts is strictly prohibited.
- Expect cold-water conditions with strong thermoclines. Dry suits or 7mm wetsuits are essential.
- Visibility is good but can shift quickly with wind and current. Check conditions before gearing up.
- LOCAL TIP
Hire a local charter from the Boating docks in Bath to reach the more remote offshore sites safely.
- FAST FACTS
- Most wrecks are located in 50 to 90 feet of water, requiring appropriate certification and surface support.
- One of the most popular spots in L&A to see shipwrecks is off Amherst Island. The Comet, which sank in 1861 near the Brothers Islands off the northeastern tip, is a favourite among returning divers.
Location Details
The closest land access is the village of Bath via Highway 33. Launch from municipal ramps in Bath.
Your Route
What We Offer
Common Questions
The waters off Amherst Island and Bath host several well-preserved wrecks, including the “Comet” and the “Amherst Island Graveyard”. These sites offer high-visibility diving into 19th-century maritime history within the sheltered North Channel of Lake Ontario.
Most major wrecks are offshore, but some shallow debris fields can be reached from the Bath shoreline.
Visibility typically ranges from 15 to 30 feet in the North Channel.
No special permit is required, but divers must follow all maritime safety and heritage laws.
Contacts
Naturally L&A Visitor Centre
Help us plan your Lennox & Addington Adventure Stop in and see us at 41 Dundas St. W. in Napanee.
Monday – Friday from 8:30am – 4:30pm.
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Getting Here
Naturally L&A Visitor Centre
Help us plan your Lennox & Addington Adventure Stop in and see us at 41 Dundas St. W. in Napanee.