semi local Isle Royal

[Nordic Diver]

Hey Deano

Glad your happy up North !

First let me say i know Isle Royal, i have over twenty dives just on the K Loops and have run both private & commercial boats here.

You asked so here is my answer, Yes Isle Royal offers some great diving but it a logistic pain in the ass. I worked a dove in Isle Royal for two seasons but the drive is a killer and for a few more hours one can be on the Gunilda or Hart.

Wrecks, Yes they are good dives but are they any better then Whitefish or Presque Isle over on Huron, i doubt it and whats up with the vis in the past few years. When i dove Isle Royal in the 80's we had no less then 80 " and at times much more.

Then you have living on a boat, ( i am not a stranger to this myself ) 80% of all people just don't like the cramped quarters on boats that we all try to run for live aboards here in the Great Lakes. The season is so short that to run say a 60 ' boat does not pay. Yes you can have good food aboard but at the end of the day most people would rather go out to eat and sleep in a motel room.

Over the past twenty five yeas many capt's have tried to make a go of it in Isle Royal, Bill Gardner was who got me started diving up there and i am glad i did, its Great Diving at least once.

Pricing, We all know how much it costs to operate a dive boat, then throw in between 100 - 200 miles on a charter and you now are talking real expenses. You must fill the boat everytime or you will go broke ! The cost of fuel alone is making IR next to impossible. Tell people they must pay $800.00 PP to dive and they think twice about going.

Dean, Yes the diving is Great ! Yes everyone should experience it ! After that i will meet them in Huron !

Bill