Best Cold-Water Dive Sites in North America & Midwest

Cold water diving offers some of the most stunning underwater experiences—historic wrecks, thriving kelp forests, and unique marine life you won’t find in the tropics. While my own experience is limited to just a couple dives in southern Lake Michigan, I’ve spent years around cold water environments and have researched many of the top destinations I hope to visit. This guide highlights some of the best cold water dive sites in North America, blending diver recommendations, research, and my personal bucket list.


Great Lakes, USA & Canada

Notable Sites:

Why it’s great: Some of the best-preserved shipwrecks in the world, thanks to the cold, freshwater environment.

Dive Planning Tips:

Some sites sit at recreational depths, while others like the Straits of Mackinac require more experience due to depth and current. Visibility and preservation are often incredible


Pacific Northwest (Washington & Oregon, USA)

Notable Sites:

Why it’s great: Incredible biodiversity, easy access to shore dives, and a strong local dive community.

Dive Planning Tips:


Monterey Bay, California, USA

Notable Sites:

Why it’s great: Consistent conditions, dramatic kelp forests, and great beginner to intermediate shore diving.

Dive Planning Tips:


Catalina Island, California, USA

Notable Sites:

Why it’s great: Kelp forests, great visibility, and lots of marine life—without needing to leave the U.S.

Dive Planning Tips:

Although I’ve never dived Catalina, I’ve been to the island more times than I can count. It’s a place I associate with warm sun, cool breezes, and looking down at water so clear you can see the bottom from the ferry. From everything I’ve heard from friends and fellow divers, it lives up to the hype—offering healthy kelp forests, playful sea lions, and gentle conditions that make it one of the most accessible and rewarding cold water dive destinations in the country.


Northern East Coast, USA

Notable Sites:

Why it’s great: Cold water wreck diving, diverse marine life, and unique geological formations.

I’ve also heard that recreational clam harvesting is a popular activity in some parts of the Northeast, and that it’s sometimes done by divers. It sounds like a fun, hands-on way to explore the marine environment—something I’d love to try if I ever get the chance to dive there.


Cold Water Dives Still on My Bucket List

While I’ve mostly stayed close to the Great Lakes so far, there are a few cold water dives I hope to experience in the future:


Final Thoughts

While I have yet to explore many of these locations myself, I hope to one day expand my cold water diving experience beyond Chicagoland. If you’ve been to any of these sites or have other recommendations, feel free to reach out—I’d love to hear about your experiences!