Thunder Bay, Ontario

OK, so Thunder Bay, Ontario, is outside the good 'ol USA. But not by much. In fact it's just inside the Canada border, about a 45-minute drive from Pigeon River which runs for 90 miles along the U.S.-Canada border ending at Lake Superior. The Thunder Bay diving area in the westernmost part of the Great Lakes is a growing diving attraction. The geological formations are diverse and shipwrecks plentiful. The dive sites include structures and machinery left over from a once-thriving silver mine, steamers, and other passenger and cargo ships.

Depths to: 160 feet (48 m) but some wrecks are as shallow as 5-28 feet (1.5 to 8.5 m)

Visibility: 3-60 feet (1-18 m)

Water temperature: 55 degrees Fahrenheit (13 degrees Celsius), and 38-40 F (4-5 C) after the thermocline at 32 feet

Marine life: Very little but that's not why divers come, anyway. Shipwrecks and geologic formations are the attractions here.

Fees: Contact a local dive store.

On-site amenities: Lodging, food and other necessities are plentiful in Thunder Bay, Ontario, population 120,000. Call (800) 667-8386 for tourism information.

More info: Visit www.thunderbay.ca.

Open: Year-round.

Getting there: To reach Thunder Bay, Ontario, from Grand Marais, Minnesota, which is located in the northeast part of the state, drive north on Highway 61 to Thunder Bay.