Copper Harbor is the home port of the Keweenaw Underwater Preserve, which covers 103 square miles. Located within the boundaries of the Preserve are some of the most historically important wrecks of the Great Lakes including the first and the last ships to sink on Lake Superior

The oldest shipwreck was the brig John Jacob Astor. This beautiful little workhorse of the copper mining era was a 78-foot vessel built in 1834 and sank in 1844 where it came to rest in the middle of Copper Harbor. The bones of this fine ship are now scattered over a half-mile area in depths between 20 and 40 feet. A map of this ship's location is available locally.

The newest ship to meet its end on Lake Superior was the Coast Guard vessel Mesquite which ran aground on a winters night in 1989. This 180-foot vessel was then refloated, cleaned and sank in deeper water. The ship now rests in 130 feet of water with the deck at 110 feet. The Mesquite is now the most popular dive in the Keweenaw Preserve.

Along with the two ships mentioned above, there are over 10 wrecks located within a short trip from Copper Harbor. We give more information on them in our History section. These dives range in depths from 15 to 100 feet with visibility as good-if not better-than the Florida Keys.

As well as shipwrecks, there are many other things to see and do underwater in the Keweenaw Preserve. With geologic formations, caves, copper and mineral deposits and spectacular drop-offs, these dives are some of the most picturesque in the world.

The village of Copper Harbor is well equipped to handle your diving needs with a full-service marina and boat ramp, overnight docking, showers, gas and refill station for air tanks. A Superior Dive Shop is located just west of Copper Harbor. (linked at left)