Tobermory

[G-lock]

I'm considering a trip to Tobermory in August or early September, any idea what the temp at depth might be like. Thanx in advance, Jeff

[Kaos]

Cold, expect a range of 45-50 F at depth.... dry suit is a must.

[diver_paula]

Tobe can be cold but is diveable in a wetsuit. Do make sure to bring warm clothes for the surface interval in case it's not sunny or if you are on one of the fishing boats with a roof.

Paula

[Tractor Tom]

We were at Tobermory in June, and on the deck of the Niagara II in 78 feet of water, the temp was 34 degrees. I mentioned this later that day to the gal who runs Divers Den and she shook her head and said it NEVER gets much warmer there than that. That wreck, and the Caroline Rose are really out in the open and anytime there is any wave action, the water mixes up and stays cold. There were 9 of us on the boat, and every one of us was in a dry suit.

Now the dives in Big Tub Harbor are quite a bit shallower and the water gets warmer because it's mostly protected.

We dove with G&S and they are a first class operation. I understand that Divers Den is very good too. Both shops are complete and in good shape and we didn't have any problems with the air from G&S, even in the very cold water.

On Sunday, when we were going out to the Niagara, I saw a boat from Divers Den load up with folks in wet suits, so it certainly seems 'do-able', especially in the warmer part of the summer...

Hope this is some help....

[caymaniac]

Tobemory is a interesting area to dive. I've been there a couple of times and have used G&S. The boats are quite different than what you ride on in the Carribean, old beat up metal boats, but they work fine. Diving in Tub harbor is easy, last time we went it was 60 degrees to sixty feet, but look out after that:wacko: , the water does get in the thirties. Viz was about 60 ft., which is tops for a fresh water dive, the only other wrecks I've been on with that kind of viz was in the wreck preserve off Alpena Mich.

Stay warm, use a hood,
Caymaniac

[jroy017]

I run a diving club out of Montreal, all our clients and students dive in wetsuits around the st-Laurence and in Tobermorry. It is doable but it is very cold. After two dives especially if the exterioir temperature isn't very hot yuo need to think at lest a couple of hours to warm up ( last weekend after our first deep dive 110ft we spent 3 hours next to a camp fire before we dove again( exterior temps was something like 20degrees).
If you have a drysuit use it, however don't let yourself be discouraged if you dive in a wet. Tobermorry is a very very nice place to dive.Bring warm clothes and something to cut the wind.
Good luck hope you have a nice trip
:)

[Barracuda2]

I started diving Toby back in the 70's before dry suits were affordable. Did many of the wrecks both shallow and deep in a wet suit. It is definately doable.

Barracuda2

[maj2]

Water temp will vary greatly depending on dive site and depth.
Looking back at last year's log entries, the Caroline Rose was at 45F beneath a visible thermocline at 35ft. Much warmer, maybe 60F close to the surface. That was mid September.
Of course, deep wrecks like the Arabia or Forest City never really get out of the 30s. I'd plan on 36-38F on these sites.

I dive semi-regularly in Tobermory, and have always dove in a 2pc 7ml wetsuit (someday I'll invest in a drysuit!). I have been reasonably comfortable on repetative dives at 36F for up to 25 minutes or so (each) before feeling much chill. Just know your level of cold tolerance and dive smart.

I'll be diving there Aug 2-4 this year (6-8 dives total), so if this thread is still active, I can give you a better idea of temps at various dive sites.

[G-lock]

Maj2-
Thanx let me know, I'm looking at the second week in September. Jeff

[diver_paula]

Jeff,

I'll be there Labor Day weekend so I'll let you know the temps as well. There will be a month more of sunlight to possibly help a bit.

I dove Tobe for 7 years in a wetsuit. The main thing is to get warm between dives. One thing to remember is to wear sneakers or some thick soled shoes as many of the boats are metal fishing boats with cold decks.

Paula

[G-lock]

diver_paula once bubbled...
Jeff,

I'll be there Labor Day weekend so I'll let you know the temps as well. There will be a month more of sunlight to possibly help a bit.

I dove Tobe for 7 years in a wetsuit. The main thing is to get warm between dives. One thing to remember is to wear sneakers or some thick soled shoes as many of the boats are metal fishing boats with cold decks.

Paula

Paula-
Thanx we'll be bringing our own boat which carpeted. Thanx for the heads up tho! Jeff

[maj2]

Just got back from Tobermory where I enjoyed nine dives over two days.
Right now, the thermocline is between 50 and 55ft. On the surface, we had 63-65F. Below the thermocline, temps were 38 to 39F.
On Aug 2 we dove the Forest City (38F) , Niagara II (39F), Newago (63F) and Wetmore (64F).
On the 3rd we dove the Forest City again, the Arabia (38F), Scoville (39F), and the King (39F in the deeper parts of the wreck, 64-65F in the shallow portions). There was also a night dive to the Sweepstakes (65F).

Although most were diving dry, I was diving wet along with one or two others. I was very comfortable, even doing the four cold dives on Sunday. We generally had an hour to two hours surface intervals. Just be sure and dry off somewhat between dives. If cloudy or cool, wear a sweatshirt or similar to be sure to keep warm.