1,000 Islands shore diving

[knfmn]

Hello all,

I'm planning a trip up to the 1,000 islands area with some friends in a couple of weeks and would like some suggestions for good shore diving spots. We will be staying on the US side in the Alexandria bay area, but would definitely not mind crossing over into CA if there is good shore diving available there as well.

Thanks,

Kristopher

 

[oldflounder]

You might do better posting this under Canada - Ontario Fresh Water Freaks section. Also do a Scubaboard search for "1000 Islands" and/or "Thousand Islands". You can search for a thread I had called "Canada Border Crossing". Tons of postings have been done about the diving out there. I went summer of 2010 to explore the area and liked what I saw. The Keystorm is a lot of fun, though a little intimidating if you're not that experienced at wreck diving. The bow is in 25' of water and the prop is in 115' or so. You can choose your own depth to look it over. I know you plan on shore dives only, but talk your buddies into this one. It is worth it. I went with Moe Hunt's boat but there are several in the area that will take you out. The popular local shore dive is behind the hospital in Alex Bay. Most people go down on the little wreck there. I had a good dive after surface swimming across the channel to the W? end of the Casino Island [I think it's called.] It drops down very quick to 75'. Be sure and bring lights with you as it is dark down there. Watch for currents and mind your compass. Afterwards you can return along the bottom at 65' to the entry/exit. It is definately worth the 10 hour trip to get there. I look forward to going back soon and spending more time. Have a good time. I hear that Fall is a good time to go because the viz is better.

 

[ScubaSam]

The only shore diving I've done in A-Bay was the Islander. I've never dived on the Canadian side of the St Lawrence.

 

[ajtoady]

Dive1000Islands Has a bunch of info that is useful. The water last nite in Waddington was a balmy 68 degrees.

 

[rhwestfall]

be mindful of the [no]parking when diving at the hospital. you will get ticketed. I strongly suggest doing some boat charters. There is some (likely more) shore diving on the Canadian side. There are some pamphlets available. Google S.O.S. (save ontario shipwrecks) an addition to what has been said here.

Have fun. Its a magical area!

 

[knfmn]

We do have a dive charter planned for one day while we're there. We'll be diving the America twice and doing one dive on the Keystorm while we're there. This trip has been a long time in the planning, so we're all very excited to go. Looking at the Islander, it definitely seems like a must-do wreck. We will probably wind up crossing the border into Canada at some point to do some diving there as well. Thanks for the tips so far!

Kristopher

 

[klauricella]

You may want to think about diving the Keystorm twice and the America once. There is alot more to see on the Keystorm.

 

[Wayne at DiveSeekers]

You can dive Alexander Bay from the U.S. side. From the Canadian side you have Rothesay, Conestoga, Kitty Hawk, Park in Brockville, Drift dive under Bridge (Ivy Lee Park), Lock 21 (down further).