The Coal Docks dive site is located in Midland, Ontario, Canada, on the southeastern shores of Georgian Bay. It is a popular site for both local and visiting divers due to its easy accessibility and intriguing underwater features.
**Description:**
The Coal Docks dive site gets its name from its history as a former coal storage and shipping facility. Today, the old coal docks have become a haven for underwater life and a favorite spot for recreational diving. The site offers a unique combination of natural and man-made features that make it an exciting dive destination.
**Highlights:**
1. **Underwater Life:** The Coal Docks are teeming with aquatic life. Divers can encounter a wide variety of fish, including bass, pike, perch, and schools of panfish. Crayfish, snails, and other invertebrates can also be spotted, making it an excellent location for underwater photography.
2. **Wrecks:** Among the most significant attractions at the Coal Docks are the submerged remains of old docks and structures from the coal shipping era. These man-made structures are now covered in colorful algae and have become artificial reefs, attracting various marine organisms.
3. **Visibility:** The clear waters of Georgian Bay provide excellent visibility, allowing divers to fully appreciate the underwater scenery and explore the wreckage in detail.
4. **Ease of Access:** The Coal Docks are easily accessible from the shore, making it an ideal site for shore diving. Divers can walk in from the beach and follow a gradual slope to reach the dive site, making it suitable for divers of all experience levels.
5. **Training Opportunities:** The relatively shallow depths and calm conditions at the Coal Docks make it an ideal location for training and certification dives. Dive shops in the area often use this site for introductory dives and open water training.
**Cautions:**
1. **Cold Water:** Like most dive sites in the Great Lakes region, the waters of Georgian Bay can be cold, especially outside of the summer months. Adequate thermal protection is essential to ensure a comfortable and safe dive.
2. **Boat Traffic:** While the site is relatively close to the shore, divers should be cautious of boat traffic, especially during the boating season. Using a diver-down flag and staying close to the shoreline can help increase visibility to boaters.
3. **Underwater Hazards:** As with any dive site with submerged wreckage, divers should exercise caution to avoid entanglement and sharp edges. Proper buoyancy control and finning techniques are essential to navigate around the structures safely.
**Accessibility:**
The Coal Docks dive site is conveniently accessible from the shore. Divers can park nearby and walk to the entry point along the beach. There are no significant entry challenges, making it an attractive site for shore diving.
**Conclusion:**
The Coal Docks in Midland, Ontario, offer a delightful combination of natural beauty and historical intrigue. With an abundance of marine life and fascinating submerged wreckage, it is an excellent dive site for both beginners and experienced divers. The accessibility and diverse underwater features make it a must-visit location for anyone seeking adventure and exploration in the waters of Georgian Bay.
