Parry Sound

[simcoediver]

Im going up to Parry Sound for a week and will be doing some diving off of killbear park.I know that there are some interesting dive sites in the area according to some one ive talk to but is there anyone else that can give me some more info about diving this area?Has anyone dived any of the wrecks there?I have the use of Zodiac boat .

[mcrae]

I was up there two summers ago and checked into the diving. There is a dive shop there, at least there was then.

Tony operates it and I have his card at home if you want the phone number let me know. He has a nice dive boat and you could go out with him.
If you drop in and see him he will tell you how to find the wrecks, he was quite helpfull when I was there.

There are two wrecks ( the America and one other) that are in fairly close to shore near Franklin Island. There are a couple more that are farther off shore at some small islands, and you might not want to take a small boat out to them.

Have fun
Gary

[wetman]

How far off shore are those ones near the island? We're going to spend some time on franklin island this weekend and might try a few wrecks around there.

steve

[Groundhog246]

simcoediver once bubbled...
I have the use of Zodiac boat .

Make sure you have all the appropriate safety gear on board (flashlight, heaving line, oars, etc., I recommend flares even if not required for the size of your boat) and proficiency card (if under 4 meters). Last time I was up that way (2001) they were being quite aggressive in their enforcement, especially smaller craft like Zodiacs. We spent the nights at Henry's Fish Restaurant and a lady on a boat tied to the adjoining dock ran around the corner (about 1 km) to the convenience store in their Zodiac. Got stopped on the way back and a fairly large fine for no flashlight (actually had one, no batteries, act says "working flashlight").

Sorry I can't offer info on the diving, but have a good, safe trip.

[Ontario Diver]

I have a cottage on the south channel in Parry Sound and grew up in the area. Yes the OPP are out in force. I was stopped three times last summer in two days. (Now I know the constable - Nice Guy....) Have your boat cert, and all safety equipment. They are doing thier jobs and I've seen way too many boating accidents.

The traffic can be pretty heavy around killbear, make sure that you anchor well and leave someone with the boat.

If you want, pop me a PM and I'll let you know some of the sites. I haven't dove with Tony but have met him a few times getting air. He is a character and fun to chat with.

[mcrae]

Wetman, the America is about a mile or so south of Franklin and there is another one just past that. Can't remember the details too well right now. There were two more west of Franklin out about 3-5 miles if memory serves.

I didn't actually dive them, had my gear but only my 14 year old son to dive with. Tried to get on a charter but was there through
the week and they only had them on weekends.

As I said earlier Tony at the LDS in Parry Sound was quite helpful
and I am sure will give you details. Or charter with him.

Franklin Island is great. But the swimming might still be a bit chilly :)

Have Fun

[wetman]

I spent a day up there last year and it was beautiful. We just dove around franklin where we were and it was crystal clear but damn cold under 20 feet so we stayed shallow - only had the wetsuits on at the time.

I'll have my zodiac up there so we probably will scoot over that way - i only saw those wrecks listed in that chris kohl book a couple weeks ago but didn't get a sense for how far they were.

Looking forward to it.

steve