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Lake Winnipesaukee Lakes Region Scuba Diving

SCUBA DIVE INTO LAKE WINNIPESAUKEE

Lake Winnipesaukee Scuba diving, treasure seeking, adventure thrilling, bottom dwelling and diving hot spots and establishments. Make those future plans!

Dive Winnipesaukee

A full-service dive center located on the waterfront in scenic Wolfeboro on North Main St. The center offers a full range of certification programs, rentals, and dive charters aboard their 30-foot dive vessel, Lady-Go-Diva. Dive teams head out to the lake every Friday and Sundays visiting their most popular sites and hidden treasure.

Central NH Divers

Central NH Divers is located on Union Ave Laconia NH and their goal is to provide the most unique, fun and absolute best instruction available for all levels of scuba diving. Dedicated to creating well-rounded and confident, Recreational Divers, Dive masters and Instructors! Central NH Divers is a full service dive center offering NAUI scuba training, dive gear sales, dive gear rentals and repairs.

Horseboat Barge – One of the earliest vessels on the lake, and typical of Yankee ingenuity, the barge was powered by two horses on a treadmill with a large stern sweep for steering. This eventually became obsolete with the invention of the steam engine. There are only two known examples of this type of boat left in the United States. The Horseboat Barge can be found in approximately 40 feet of water off of Bear Island near the post office dock. Only the hull of the barge remains. However, some tools and pieces of coal can be found around the area of the barge. This sight was also a dumpsite for a prominent hotel located on Bear Island so many artifacts can be found here as well.
Laker Wrecks – Located off Ship and Moose islands, these three wrecks are scattered on the east side of Ship Island. They can all be found on a single dive. They are located between 10 and 37 feet. Huge rock formations and ledges surround both islands with depths reaching over 100 feet rapidly.
Loon Cove – The wreck of the Echo Junior lies in about 45 feet of water on the south side of the red buoy in Alton Bay. The 28-foot hull is still intact. It burnt to the waterline on its maiden voyage. The engine of the 1940s speedboat is a 12-cylinder Allison Aircraft engine.
Parker Island – Interesting rock formations were formed when the glaciers pushed through the area creating very distinct cuts, tunnels, and striations. Quartz veins have been exposed. The rock ledge forms what appears to be a staircase made for a giant, which starts in about 15 feet of water and descends down to 60 feet.
Rum Point -on the shores of West Alton is known for its rock formations and wall diving. The area is rich in fish and aquatic life. Parker Island is also known for its rock formations, with numerous cuts, tunnels and exposed veins of quartz. The wall drops from a depth of 40 feet to about 60 feet/18 m.
Steam Barge – This wreck sank around the turn of the century off of Doe Pont, near Weirs Beach. It can be found in about 50 feet of water. It was a work barge designed for driving pilings into the mud. The wreck is intact. It sits upright and the crane and boiler are still attached.

Lady of the Lake – one of the most popular dive sites on Lake WinnipesaukeeScuttled in 1895, the 125-foot/38-m steamboat lies in 30 feet/9 m of water in Smith Cove in Glendale (near Laconia). The hull and deck are intact, and divers can enter through the deck hatches. Smallmouth bass, yellow perch, sunfish, hornpout, carp and the occasional eel make the wreck their home. Summer water temperatures range from 65F/18C to 75F/24C, with visibilities of 25 to 35 feet/8 to 11 m. The Lady of the Lake is also a popular ice dive in the winter months.
Belknap – This steamboat sank in 1841 while towing a load of logs down the middle of the lake. A sudden storm came up and tossed the ship towards Steamboat and Birch Islands. Rocks surround the islands and the ship sank in about 20 feet of water. Over the years the boat has worked its way into shallower water. The wreck sits in the north side of Steamboat Island. The superstructure is visible from the surface making a great place for a shallow scuba dive or snorkel.
Clark’s Point – An excellent location for a shore dive. This site is accessible from McKinney Park. The dive starts off in a shallow rocky area with some sandy patches, great for practicing skills. Move away from shore and there are enormous rock formations with the depth dropping to about 30 feet. Continue out to a depth of about 45 feet and the “wall” starts. The “wall” drops down to 90 feet with a maximum depth of 105 feet. There are some interesting wall contours, with a few resident eels. There is also a cavern at the bottom of the wall.
Diamond Island – Site of the Navy’s underwater laser testing sight dating back into the 1950s. SCRIPTS conducted testing to study laser transmission through water. The site is on the northwest side of the island. A railcar that ran on a track, like a coal-mining rail, was used to measure how fast the laser beams were traveling through water. The track is in about 25 feet of water with staging in deeper water. There is also a relatively newer boat sunk on the north east side of the island. The wreck is called Empty Pockets and is in very good shape.
Goodhue and Hawkins Navy Yard – A lot of boat hulls, barges, and engines were sunk throughout the mooring fields during the many years of the yard. To the right of the anchored sailboats, there is a single engine steamship located in 39 feet of water. Next to the steamship is the hull of a small cruiser.