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| The Alger Underwater Preserve offers several unusual diving attractions including "sea caves," intact shipwrecks, and underwater interpretive trails. The Glass Bottom Shipwreck Tour operated out of Munising offers non-diving guests a way to enjoy the preserve. |
Sea caves are found along the Lake Superior coast which is part of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The caves are found in water 20 feet deep or less and make wonderful underwater photographs. The sea caves are actually portions of underwater sandstone cliffs where sandstone has been eroded by waves. Although the caves are shallow - usually only about 20 feet deep - they offer spectacular shallow water diving. |
Divers of any skill level will find shipwrecks in excellent condition awaiting them at the Alger Underwater Preserve. Visibility is usually excellent, 25 feet is the minimum, and it is often twice that. For both beginners and advanced divers, the Murray Bay wreck is very popular. Although this wreck lies in only 30 feet of water, it is protected from ice and wave damage. The result is an intact 145 foot schooner sitting upright and waiting for visitors. |
 (photo courtesy of Shipwreck Tours) |
An underwater interpretive trail on this shipwreck shows divers important features of the shipwreck as well as unusual fish and other aquatic life. Divers can expect to have close encounters with schools of rock bass and other colorful gamefish. |
The latest "addition" to the Alger Underwater Preserve is the Steven M. Selvick, a 71-foot tugboat. The Selvick is the first vessel to be intentionally sunk within the Michigan underwater preserve system as a dive site. The tug is located east of Grand Island in about 70 feet of water with very good visibility. It has become a featured wreck on the Glass Bottom Shipwreck Tour operated out of Munising. |
Other popular shipwrecks include the Herman H. Hettler, Kiowa, and Manhattan. Besides shipwrecks, divers also enjoy an underwater "museum" located among the dock ruins off shore from the Munising High School. This shore-access site features underwater signs interpreting large maritime artifacts from the region. |
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