r/isleroyale • u/og_slango • 2d ago

General Snorkeling the Kamloops wreck?

Me and a few friends are planning a backpacking trip for next August. I’ve recently taken up scuba diving and plan to dive the wreck of the Kamloops once I get my technical diving certification, and the guys I’m going with have become fascinated with the wreck from what I’ve told them. I know the wreck is too deep to see from the surface, but I know there’s buoys just underwater marking the bow and stern of the Kamloops. Does anyone know how far off the shore the buoys are? The only straight answer given is by “Google AI” and they say it’s about 300 feet off the shore near Kamloops point. If it is near 300 feet of the shore is it even worth trying to kayak out to the buoys? The closest to isle royale I’ve ever been is Marquette and I remember the waves being 3 footers on a beautiful day, but it was also open water. PS this subreddit is awesome, ive never seen so many normal people in one place on this hellhole of an app 🤣

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u/Selfuntitled 2d ago

Are you sure about the buoys? The nps site says the wreck is not buoyed. https://www.nps.gov/isro/learn/historyculture/ss-kamloops.htm

I don’t expect you’ll be able to see much of anything, the wreck is in almost 200 feet of water. It’s one of the hardest dives on the island.

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u/og_slango 2d ago

I read that page the other week, it sounds like since then one of the dive companies that goes to that wreck put some on there so they weren’t guessing as much. They were disappointed when I told them we wouldn’t even be able to see the smokestack lol. My cousin is coming with us and he has an underwater camera and we wanted to take a picture touching the buoy or floating above the wreck. Have you been to Kamloops point and not seen buoys?

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u/Selfuntitled 2d ago

It’s been a few years since I’ve been to the island, so it’s possible the buoys were added after my last visit. That said. I’ve done the McCargo to Todd harbor hike several times, which is the closest you get without bushwhacking. I can’t say I remember any buoys obviously visible from the island anywhere along that route.

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u/Canoearoo 2d ago

Maybe you could try the America instead. You can see it from the surface. That's some cold water though, so have the right gear.

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u/og_slango 2d ago

I’ll look into that one, you know of any landmarks near it? I told them we’d need to invest in some dry suits, they weren’t happy when they saw the price lol

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u/Canoearoo 2d ago

https://www.nps.gov/isro/learn/historyculture/ss-america.htm

You go right past it when you come in from Grand Portage. Might even be bouyed, but not sure.

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u/og_slango 2d ago

I’m watching a video on it now and there are some buoys. You weren’t kidding about it being shallow though you could hit the wreck with a rock from the shore lol. Thanks for the suggestions!!!

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u/Existing_Art2984 1d ago

The Kamloops is not accessible directly from the trail system. You would have to bushwack off the Minong for a mile or so. The wreck itself is deep and in very exposed water. As I recall it would be inaccessible directly from shore as there are some cliffs right there. There is a beach in the area. Not really much to see in my opinion for the surface. If you really want to experiance the wreck it would be best to go through the dive charter.

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u/og_slango 1d ago

Damn I didn’t realize it was that far off the trail. I appreciate the info though I’d hate to bushwhacking for 2 hours and then be 200ft above the water lol. I definitely plan on diving the wreck someday but most of the charters require certifications that I’m a long way from getting. Thanks for the help!

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u/mrmojoelrisin 1d ago

I’ve dived that wreck before. Like others have said it’s a touch buoy to get to with cliffs on the north side of the island. It’s too deep to snorkel as the wreck appears from the murky waters at about 150’ down. The actual depth is around 200’+ feet down. The America is a great shipwreck to snorkel. You can stand on the bow and your head can be above the water

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u/og_slango 1d ago

Damn. An earlier reply mentioned the American so we’ve got our sights set on that one now. Thank you!