Public Dive Charters in Tobermory
Explore shipwrecks and geological wonders diving in the Fathom Five National Marine Park
Public Dive Charters in Tobermory
Public dive charters for certified divers are offered with regular departures between May and October annually.
Not a certified scuba diver yet? Click here to view offerings for first time divers!
Rates starting from $160 + HST
Big savings available with a Public Dive Charter Membership!
Choose from 6, 12, and 24-dive packages:
Be sure to BUY your Membership Package BEFORE booking your charters, to save at checkout with your membership code!
Choose the charter that best suits you with 5 Categories of Public Dive Charters
- Guided | dive with a PADI Pro | site depth variable
- Intermediate | depth < 60'
- Advanced | depth < 100' | no rental gear except tanks/weights
- Senior Advanced | depth > 100' | redundancy required
- Night | site depth variable | primary, back-up, and tank marker lights required
It is essential to book your spot on any public dive charter at least 2 days in advance.
- If the minimum number of divers has not been met 48 hours prior to the scheduled departure time, the trip will be cancelled.
- Walk-on spots may be available day of, only if a trip has already met the minimum and spaces remain.
- There is a 6-diver minimum for all Public Dive Charters.
Are there public dive charters for recently certified / novice divers?
- Yes, Guided Public Charters are available for divers who:
- do not yet meet the eligibility requirements for our Intermediate Public Charters
- are diving Tobermory for the first time
- have just recently become certified
- have little or no cold-water diving experience
- who prefer to dive with a guide or in a group
Minimum age:
- Divers must be a minimum age of 10 years old
- Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, or if participating in training dives, must be with a PADI pro within approved ratios
Additional cost considerations:
- National Park Diver Registration Tag fees
- Gear rental / air fills
- Parking fees
- Gratuities
Important Notes:
- Decompression diving is not allowed on any Public Dive Charter. Diving beyond recreational limits is not allowed on Public Charters.
- We reserve the right to refuse any diver if it is determined they do not meet the minimum requirements or demonstrate unsafe practices.
- For your safety and the safety of others, any diver may be required to perform a check-out dive to demonstrate skill level and competency before joining a Public Charter.
Choose from 5 categories of Public Dive Charter offerings:
Guided Public Charter
These charters are designed to allow newer or beginner divers to gain experience diving from our charter vessels and become acquainted with the local conditions. A guide will be present for every 4 divers.
Requirements: a minimum of 10 dives logged within the last 18 months
Depth range: variable
Rental Gear: full rental gear included
Dive sites include: the wrecks of the Wetmore, Minch, Sweepstakes, Alice G, an unidentified wreck off Cove Island and geological sites like the Grotto and Rock Garden at Indian Head Cove
Intermediate Public Charter
Visit sites that are appropriate for intermediate divers. The conditions at various dive sites can be unpredictable with temperatures dropping at depth.
Requirements: some cold water diving experience and a minimum of 10 logged dives in the last 12 months
Depth range: < 60ft / < 18m
Rental Gear: allowed
Dive sites include: the wrecks of the Wetmore, Charles P. Minch, Sweepstakes and City of Grand Rapids, Alice G, an unidentified wreck off Cove Island and geological sites like the The Caves (Grotto) and Rock Garden at Indian Head Cove
Advanced Public Charter
Visit deeper sites that require a high level of skill and experience. These sites can have unpredictable currents at depth combined with low visibility and near freezing temperatures. No decompression diving is allowed.
Requirements: a minimum of 10 deep and cold water dives in the last 18 months with a fair number of logged dives overall.
Depth range: < 100 ft / < 30m
Rental Gear: only tanks allowed
Dive sites include: the wrecks of the James C. King, Philo Scoville, Niagara II, San Jacinto and geological sites like East Flowerpot, Dunks Point and more
Senior Advanced Public Charter
Some of Fathom Five's shipwrecks pose high safety risks due to their unusual orientation and greater depth and have proprtionately higher accident and fatality statistics (per Parks Canada). Therefore diving certain specific wrecks is reserved for highly experienced scuba divers who meet all of the following four considerations:
Requirements:
1. Diver holds a minimum certification level of Advanced Open Water Scuba Diver (or equivalent) AND
2. Diver has recent (within 90 days) experience diving deep (>25 meters / 80 feet) in COLD water
3. Diver will factor in the safety margins appropriate to their individual age, health, physical and psychological fitness to dive AND
4. Diver will carry all the appropriate equipment in excellent working order to perform these dives including an air source redundancy.
Depth range: > 100 ft / > 30 m
Rental Gear: only rental tanks / weights allowed
Dive sites include: the wrecks of the Arabia, Forest City and geological sites like the Dufferin Wall and Bad Neighbour Rock
Night Dive Public Charter
Night diving offers a different perspective of the underwater world and can improve your overall diving skills, including buoyancy control, navigation and buddy awareness.
Requirements: night diver certification or equivalent experience, primary and secondary light sources, tank marker light (these are available for purchase and rent)
Depth range: to be determined by diver certification level
Rental Gear: allowed for sites up to 60ft / 18m
Dive sites include: the wrecks of the W.L. Wetmore, Sweepstakes, City of Grand Rapids, Niagara II, The James C. King and geological sites like The Caves (Grotto)
