Niagara Falls – Dive Flag Optional – lol
Date: September 24 – 25
Video of 2 different dives. 1st from Railway Bridge, 2nd from Barge:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5Z2IC26MXM&t=18s
Number of divers: 20
Number of Dives: 4-5
Open spots as of June 12th, 2022 17
Cost: Divemaster – Free; Divers – $20.00
Diver Rating: A
Divemaster: Raimund
Emergency Assistance Plan: click here
Scuba Divers are Different Emergency Assistance Plan: English; French
Description:
The Niagara River is a great site for a drift dive, with many entry points, including one that allows you to view a barge if you can hit just right and good visibility (depending on the weather). There are a lot of large fish to see on this dive. A full 7mm wet suit and hood may not be required as the Niagara River is relatively warm, 21C or 70F, but bring them along just in case. Wearing a hood is suggested for bacteria reasons. You will need gloves and boots because there are plenty of zebra mussels, which will cut your hands and feet. Also, don’t forget to bring extra weights. Depths can vary from 20 -60 feet. A dive flag and a dive light (for experienced divers considering a night dive) are required. We plan to do two dives on Saturday and possibly a night dive. Sunday will be comprised of two dives. One of the dives may be the “Washing Machine” with an easy entry point that should help with navigation. The Divemaster may choose to dive several miles below the falls, a new dive in the past 4 years for SUCI.
Reservations can be made at Riverside Park campground. After the second drift dive on Saturday and dropping off tanks for filling, we will proceed to the campsite for our potluck BBQ & picnic. A night dive on Saturday is a possibility – so plan your air tanks accordingly and bring lights if interested.
Tank Refills:
Fort Erie Underwater Recovery Unit: See directions below under Dive Shops.
Directions:
To get to the Niagara Parks Commission Marina (Saturday’s 9:00 am meeting place), at 2400 Niagara Parkway, Fort Erie, take the Queen Elizabeth Way West, continue past all of the Niagara Falls exits and take the Netherby Road East exit (exit 12). Follow Netherby Road East until it hits the Niagara Parkway and turn right (south). Continue 6-8km south on the Niagara Parkway until you see the Marina on the left. We will meet in the parking lot. Estimated travel time from Toronto is 1.5 – 2 hours.
The map below is for the Riverside Park campground “A”, http://www.riversidepark.net/directions.html Dive meeting is to the south (right) of “A” about 6 km along Niagara Parkway on the left at the marina.
Dive Shops:
We will try to arrange tank fills with the Fort Erie Underwater Recovery Unit. They have a building right on the water’s edge along the Niagara Parkway, not far from Ft. Erie. It’s located at 560 Niagara Parkway, on the Fort Erie side of the railway bridge. Bring two tanks with you for Saturday’s diving and the tank fill arrangements will be communicated to you.
Adventure scuba diving in Ste. Catherines http://www.adventurescuba.ca/index.html>http://www.adventurescuba.ca/index.html
Accommodations:
Riverside Park, 13541 Niagara River Parkway, Niagara Falls, 905 382-2204 Web site: http://www.riversidepark.net/
Email: Camp@riversidepark.net
Howard Johnson’s
http://www.hojo.com/HowardJohnson/control/Booking/property_info? propertyId=14643
Comfort Inn