Info. wanted on wrecks to snorkel in Door County

[AandA]

I'm heading to Door County for a week in mid-July with friends and we're interested in snorkeling a wreck or 2 from shore while there. Could anyone give me information about the best place or places to go? Also, what should we expect for water temperature? Any information is appreciated! 

[MikeS]

I'm sure you'll get replies from better informed people, but I have two thoughts:

1.  Get the Door County Shore Dive Guide on sale from Green Bay Scuba

2.  The Fleetwing is a very shallow wreck at the northern tip of Door County.  It is shallow and very  close to shore.  I'm sure it is listed in the shore diving guide.

Sorry, I don't get up that way much, so hopefully others will chime in.

Mike

[smoothfin]

Bullhead Point (also listed in Green Bay Scuba's guide) has some remains, usually poking up a little above the water line.  Very shallow, gets a bit weedy in summer, watch out for the fishermen.  I've seen some nice fish life there, good size small bass hanging around.

[Dewit2it]

You can also try Cave Point.  The rock shelf going north is really neat.  To the south, there's parts of the D. A. VanValkenburg and caves.  There are some good currents in the area and some rip further to the south.  Depths 3-15'  Waves larger than a foot get kinda nasty on the rock shelves and caves.  Great place in calm water.  Temps are pretty cold all summer.  You will see trout, and if your lucky, huge schools of alewife.  During the summer that green mat of algae can form on the bottom and murk things up.  Take a good flag/float here(innertube) just incase you get caught in a rip.

Europe lake can be a good spot if the lake isn't cooperating.  Use a flag.

Try the rock shelves off the little park just west of Northport.  You will have to climb down a cliff to get to the water.  A west to east current is always present and expect thermocline mixing. Use a flag.

I forget the name of the one wreck north of the ship canal in Lilly Bay.  Never dove that one but it's supposed to be in 15' of water.

Take a knife on the bullhead wrecks.  Lots of fishline there!

[moneysavr]

Or the wreck (no name) in the Green Bay scuba book area of little Sturgeon just off Clarfin park at the end of county CC hit me up as I have a place close by or the wreck on the beach on White fish bay park Door county water on the top this weekend was low 60 by July it will be a bit warmer wetsuit needed.
Brad

[captkathy]

The Green Bay Scuba guide is a great resource!  Definitely pick one up!

If you should get up to Washington Island, there is the Louisiana at Schoolhouse Beach.  It's a little bit of a surface swim, but a very large, beautiful wreck with lots of fish on it.  It's also protected from all directions except the North.  If you'd like to contact me when you get in the area, I'd be happy to give you a heading on how to find it from shore, and show you pictures.

Feel free to contact me for more info.

Kathy
divediva@itol.com
920.495.1496

[AandA]

Thanks so much for all the great information!  ;D Is the Door County Shore Diving Guide only available from Green Bay Scuba? Can it be ordered online as I doubt very much we'll get to Green Bay. Also, I'm a scuba diver and have a wet suit but my friends are not. Is snorkeling possible without a wetsuit-in other words about what will the surface temps be in mid-July?  ??? Another option would be for my friends to rent a wetsuit if there is a convenient scuba shop somewhere in Door County. Again, any suggestions are very welcome! 

Alyson

[oldtimer]

The Door county shore diving guide is not available on line.  I called the shop a few years ago and offered to give them a few extra bucks to send one to me and they did that, so that would be an option.  It's a wealth of information and is worth the money.  Green Bay scuba is the closest to Door county and bear in mind that they are closed on Sundays.  At least they used to be.
      Although the temps in the shallows can get in the 70's by late July, you'll find a nasty thermocline just below the surface.  Plan on using a wet suit.  The extra hassle will be worth it.  IMHO, the best diving is north of Sister Bay as the viz gets much better.  Especially on the bay side.  My personal favorite is to do scuba in Porcupine Bay.  You can get down 90 feet with out to much effort.  There are a lot of small mouth bass in the 3 to 5 pound range to escort you on your journey.  Feed them a crayfish and they'll be your friends forever.
    The best snorkeling is probably the Fleetwing as there are major pieces in about ten feet of water.  All shore diving in Door county involves entrance and exits over very slippery rocks.  Be very careful, especially with a full gear set!  It will be a blast though.  Be sure and stop at the Blue OX in Baileys Harbor and have a cold one after your dives.  A great place to relax a little off the beaten path!  Dive Safe!

[AandA]

I'm not planning on doing any scuba this time during my Door County trip as my buddy--my husband--isn't coming this time. It's "women's week" in Door County and I happen to be the only scuba certified one so that's why I'm inquiring about snorkeling (which my husband prefers to refer to as "free diving" as he's quite good at it. The slippery rocks don't sound too enticing knowing the women I'm offering to introduce snorkeling to. Any alternatives for easy entry without slippery rocks assuming the surf is down (I do understand the great lakes as I've shore dove Superior a few times.).

Alyson from Minnesota

[Dewit2it]

When are you going?  Depending on sizes, I have a few womens suits, and an extra snorkeling set.  Plus I could shoot some HD video of you out there.  Might save on rentals.