Lake Simcoe Shipwrecks & Dive Sites
Lake Simcoe is one of Ontario’s most historic inland waterways — a cold, clear basin that
has hosted steamboats, schooners, barges, and ice traffic for nearly two centuries. While not as deep as the
Great Lakes, its consistently cold water preserves wooden wrecks extremely well, offering divers a distinct
inland view of early Ontario marine life.
Simcoe’s wrecks are accessible, beginner-friendly, and visually striking — especially in the spring and fall
when visibility peaks. It’s a training ground, a discovery zone, and a reminder that serious history exists
well beyond the big lakes.
The Shotline Diving Lake Simcoe Project combines wreck records, shore-access notes, and
historical research to give divers a practical, honest view of what the lake offers in all seasons.
Lake Simcoe – Maps, Index & Tools
Start with the filtered Master Wreck Index, then move into the Shotline wreck map and individual records for
planning training dives, club trips, and winter projects.
Master Wreck Index – Lake Simcoe
View known Lake Simcoe wrecks and special sites with depth, GPS, rating, and links to full Shotline
records where available.
Lake Simcoe – Shotline Wreck Map
Shotline’s interactive map layer for Lake Simcoe, showing plotted wrecks, training sites, and access
points. Click markers for summary details and links to full site records.
Shore Dives & Training Sites – Lake Simcoe
Simcoe has long been a favourite for courses and club days. This view brings together shore-accessible
sites, realistic visibility notes, and seasonal access considerations.
Featured “Must Dive” Sites – Lake Simcoe
Selected inland wrecks and sites in Lake Simcoe tagged as Must Dive in the Shotline archive.
Expect accessible depths, strong training value, and a good mix of structure and history. Depths are
approximate and for planning context only – always read the full site record and dive within your training.
[sld_must_dive_grid body_of_water=”Lake Simcoe” posts_per_page=”6″]
Lake Simcoe Dive Highlights
Classic Inland Steamer Site
Type: Steamer / Passenger Vessel
Typical Depth: 10–18 m / 33–60 ft
Difficulty: Beginner–Intermediate
Representative of Simcoe’s early passenger and cargo traffic, with recognizable hull structure and
winter-ice history written into its story.
Training Barge & Workboat Remains
Type: Barge / Workboat Debris
Typical Depth: 6–12 m / 20–40 ft
Difficulty: Beginner
A forgiving site used for skills, buoyancy work, and early wreck orientation — proof that useful dives do
not have to be deep.
Ice-Season Curiosity Site
Type: Small Craft / Mixed Debris
Typical Depth: 8–14 m / 26–46 ft
Difficulty: Intermediate (conditions-dependent)
A site best appreciated outside peak boat-traffic months, where careful timing and conditions turn a quiet
patch of bottom into an excellent winter project.
Weather & Safety
Emergency Information
Emergency (Canada): 911
Rescue Coordination: JRCC Trenton — 1-800-267-7270
Local Marine Authorities: York Regional & Durham Regional Police Marine Units
Nearest Hyperbaric Chambers: Toronto General Hospital
Preservation & Regional Organizations
References & Links
- Simcoe Heritage Archives & museum collections
- HCGL / Great Lakes Historical Collections
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Local marine & harbour records
- Shotline Diving Master Index