greatlakesdrive.com · Guide
Independent wreck summary and visibility range.
Dive Spot Guide•
The Madeira (Wreck)
Historic Lake Superior wreck with shore access and cold water.
A cold-water shipwreck beside Split Rock Lighthouse with a dedicated diver lot, scattered wreckage, and conditions best suited to experienced wreck divers.
About The Madeira (Wreck)
The Madeira is a historic Lake Superior shipwreck beside Split Rock Lighthouse, with broken sections scattered across a rocky slope and a dedicated shore-access point for cold-water wreck divers. Careful route planning matters because the site mixes exposed terrain, cold water, and changing conditions along the exposed North Shore.
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Research Estimate At The Madeira (Wreck)
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
VisibilityVisibility: 11m
AccessModerate entry effort
Aquatic LifeSome life
FacilitiesBasic facilities
Crowd / PopularityQuite busy
Where Is The Madeira (Wreck)?
This spotNearby spotsExplore nearby spots on the map
Community sourced coordinates.
The Madeira (Wreck) Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
4.6m - 91.4m
Depth Note
Deck plates reported at 15–30 ft (~4.6–9.1 m); main wreck at 40–130+ ft (~12.2–39.6+ m); pilothouse at 75–80 ft (~22.9–24.4 m). Eastern wall drops beyond 300 ft (~91.4+ m).
Best Season
Late summer
Typical Conditions
Cold Lake Superior water, variable visibility, and a wreck profile that ranges from shallower rubble to deeper sections. Clearer water is more likely on calm days, but conditions can change quickly with weather.
Safety & Access At The Madeira (Wreck)
Site conditions, restrictions, and access requirements.
Safety Notes
Depth ranges extend into advanced limits, and there is a nearby wall that drops beyond 300 ft.
Access Restrictions
The diver lot is for divers only, with vehicle permits and a certification card required to use it.
Legal Notes
Use only the designated diver access and follow park permit and gate rules.
Local Intel For The Madeira (Wreck)
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
Structure spans from very shallow deck plates to deep sections (130+ ft) with a nearby wall dropping past 300 ft, so dive planning by depth is important.
Freediving
Not a practical freedive target for most visitors because the wreck quickly drops deeper and the water stays cold.
Snorkeling
Snorkeling is only realistic near the shallowest shore approach on very calm days; the main site is a scuba wreck.
Recent Logged Visits At The Madeira (Wreck)
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Dive Spot Log Averages At The Madeira (Wreck)
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Conditions
Avg. Visibility11m
Activity
No dive activity logged yet.
