Manitou Passage Underwater Preserve, Protected underwater area in Lake Michigan, United States.
Manitou Passage Underwater Preserve is a protected underwater area with submerged ships and marine habitats in Lake Michigan near the Leelanau Peninsula. More than 30 designated diving sites sit beneath the surface, featuring various vessels and the structures they left behind.
The preserve protects ships that sank during the height of water transportation across the Great Lakes. Many vessels went down during the 1800s when freight ships moved goods between lakeside communities.
The preserve shows how maritime trade shaped life in this region and connected distant communities. Walking the shoreline today, you can understand why these waters held such importance for local livelihood and commerce.
Divers need to bring their own navigation equipment since most sites lack markers or signs on the water. Access happens through boat launches and nearby marinas, which serve as starting points for underwater exploration.
Ships from different centuries rest side by side in the waters around North and South Manitou Islands. This collection reveals how vessel design and transportation methods evolved across generations.
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