Slip beneath the surface of Big Tub Harbour and free-float above the perfectly preserved wrecks of the W.L. Wetmore and Sweepstakes schooners — ghost ships resting in just 6 metres of crystal-clear water, reachable from the shore.
What to expect
Wade in from the rocky shore at Big Tub Harbour, just minutes from the Tobermory dock, and the transformation is immediate — beneath you, the 1885 schooner Sweepstakes materialises out of the blue, her hull nearly intact, encrusted with freshwater zebra mussels that almost seem to preserve her. The W.L. Wetmore lies nearby, more fragmentary but equally atmospheric. The water is cold (12–18°C even in summer) but breathtakingly clear, with visibility often exceeding 20 metres. It is utterly surreal to hover above a 140-year-old vessel in the middle of a Great Lake.
Good to know
No boat required — this is a shore-entry snorkel from a public access point at Big Tub Harbour. Rent a wetsuit locally (strongly recommended) and pick up a Parks Canada day pass at the visitor centre. Best enjoyed mid-morning before afternoon boat traffic increases. Allow 1–2 hours.
Sail there
Luxury cruises that call at Tobermory — book through us, the fare is identical and your concierge stays on your side.