Where to Dive in the St. Lawrence River
Jennifer IdolFamed underwater photographer David Doubilet examines a propeller on the General Hancock ferry.
The St. Lawrence River straddles New York’s border with Canada like an emerald zipper dotted with islands and wrecks. The river proper begins at the outflow of Lake Ontario near Cape Vincent. It becomes an estuary beyond Quebec before finally spilling into the Atlantic Ocean. The St. Lawrence is the main drainage outflow for the Great Lakes Basin as well as a major trade artery for freighters going as far as Lake Superior.
At the turn of the 20th century, towns along the shore in the Thousand Islands area became vacation destinations for New York City high society. Some purchased islands and built grandiose homes along the river. Today, visitors can tour landmarks such as Boldt and Singer castles, which were commissioned by wealthy businessmen in the 1900s and have since become important historically registered tourist attractions.
More than 1,800 islands form the Thousand Islands archipelago, spanning both sides of the border. Wrecks are the primary dive sites in the area, with plentiful destinations on the Canadian side of the river. A few significant wrecks foundered on the American side and can be reached through local charters such as Hunts Dive Shop in Clayton, New York, established in 1953.
Navigational hazards caused most of the wrecks along the St. Lawrence. Visibility greatly improved when zebra mussels invaded the river, which also led to the wrecks becoming popular underwater photography subjects. Although visibility varies greatly from week to week, the best conditions can be found in fall when the water is still warm.
Popular recreational dive sites include the wrecks of the Islander, the A.E. Vickery, the SS Keystorm, and the America. There are technical dives too, such as the freighter Roy A. Jodrey, an advanced dive in stiff current. Current can be prominent on any wreck, but buoys enable easy descents. Of these wrecks, the Vickery and the Keystorm are the most rewarding advanced dives, with intact features that make exploration interesting.
Additional exploration on historic wrecks is possible throughout Thousand Islands. Even snorkel sites, such as the abandoned ferry General Hancock off Mandolin Island, can be a worthwhile adventure.
Need To Know
Conditions: Viz is 15 to 50 feet, with water temperatures between 40 and 77 degrees.
What To Wear: Drysuit or 7 mm wetsuit.
Dive Shop Recommended By PADI: Aquatic World, North Syracuse, New York
Dive Sites
Islander
The most visited wreck in Thousand Islands, this wooden steamer is an easy shore dive from Alexandria Bay, New York, starting at a depth of 15 feet. Divers can inspect its intact bow while fine-tuning their buoyancy to prepare for deeper wrecks mid-river. Since this ship burned and sank, much of the wood is deteriorated.
Jennifer IdolFamed underwater photographer David Doubilet examines the pilothouse on the SS Keystorm.
SS Keystorm
This steel-hulled cargo steamer sank in 1912 with a load of coal just a couple of years after it was built. It rests in the middle of the river, just south of Singer Castle. The forward wheelhouse sits very close to the bow and points upward toward shore. Parts of the Keystorm range in depth from 20 to 115 feet, making it accessible by boat to divers of all skill levels.
A.E. Vickery
In 1889, this three-masted schooner struck a shoal and sank in relatively deep water where strong currents pass near Rock Island. A buoy line leads to the wreck, which you can enter with proper training and explore beyond the current. Book a charter to visit this site, which has a max depth of about 125 feet.
Trip Tips
Boldt Castle and Yacht House: Book a tour boat to shuttle you to this Heart Island estate commissioned in 1900 by millionaire hotel magnate George C. Boldt. Construction ceased in 1904, when Boldt’s wife died suddenly. It was acquired by the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority in 1977 to maintain its historic preservation. The boat house is an example of some of the finest woodwork in America.
Antique Boat Museum: More than 300 freshwater boats and artifacts are on display at this museum campus in Clayton, New York. Most boats are handcrafted wooden hulls. Activities include an annual boat show and regular tours of the permanently docked houseboat La Duchesse, which demonstrates some of the opulence of early river life.
Dining Out : The Village of Clayton, where you’ll find several dive operators, is a popular destination with a rich town square. Check out Bella’s, a waterfront coffee shop with quality food for all diets; Wood Boat Brewery for pizza and beer; or Koffee Kove Restaurant, a diner with a friendly vibe.
