This sounds like a great new dive site for us! Heison is a NAUI instructor, the Training Director of Blue North, and President of the Ontario Underwater Council.
Shore diving Saturday and Sunday
Dive Site: Bonnie Castle Dive Park, Alexandria Bay – AND TBD ????
Registration: Send $15 shore dive fee by eTransfer to bluenorthscuba@gmail.com
Divemaster: Heison Chak, NAUI Instructor and Divemaster
Date: Two weekends are offered: July 25-July 26, 2026 and Oct. 3-Oct. 4, 2026
Time: Arrive in the Alexandria Bay area on Friday evening, to be ready for an early start on Saturday morning.
Type of dive: Shore dive. (Potential for a night dive??? – tbd)
Max number of scuba divers: 8 divers each day
Number of dives: 4-5 tbd
Dive Site Description: Navigating several line systems leading to many objects of interest placed underwater to a depth of 65 feet.
Dive Site street address: 31 Holland St, Alexandria Bay, NY 13607, United States
Meeting location: At the dive site: Bonnie Castle Dive Park.
– Note: When you arrive at Bonnie Castle Dive Park Saturday morning, there is a $20 fee to use the dive park.
Driving time from Toronto: 3.5 hours.
Level of Experience: Novice to Experienced.
Suitable for Newly certified divers? Yes!
– Divers of all levels, including newly certified divers and experienced divers.
– Experienced divers may want to consider arranging a Sunday wreck dive (not a Blue North club sanctioned dive) with a local boat charter operator on the America or the Keystorm.
Registration
Registration: Send $15 shore dive fee by eTransfer to bluenorthscuba@gmail.com
Deadline to register: two weeks before the event
Blue North’s minimum requirements
- Age requirement: 18 years of age (or discuss with DM if younger).
- Certification requirement: Open Water Scuba Diver or above, certified by a recognized agency.
- Membership Requirement, Part 1: Divers have filled in the annual BN Scuba Profile & Waiver.
- Membership Requirement, Part 2: Divers have paid annual fees: (a) Blue North Scuba Club membership fee $20. (b) Ontario Underwater Council (OUC) membership fee $50.
- Membership Requirement, Part 3: Divers will abide by the Blue North dive policies.
- Club dive fee: Paid at least one week in advance for this dive – $15 by eTransfer to bluenorthscuba@gmail.com
- OUC Release (annual) has been signed and valid at least 24 hr. before the event.
Note: Newly certified divers from the June certification in Tobermory are already Blue North Members and eligible to register for this dive.
Underwater Highlights
At the heart of the Thousand Islands, Alexandria Bay provides some of the best freshwater diving in the world. Bonnie Castle Dive Park offers certified divers the challenge of navigating several line systems leading to many objects of interest placed underwater to a depth of 65 feet. Additionally, there are two large suspended platforms at 30 feet, perfect for honing diving skills.
This is a great dive site for newly certified divers as well as experienced divers: Improve your scuba skills, buoyancy, experience diving over 60 ft., underwater current, a shipwreck, etc. and some other underwater experiences such as:
- Shipwreck: The Islander is less than 100 feet from shore in about 40 feet of water. The Islander was built in Rochester, N.Y., in 1871. This side wheel steamer measured 125 ft. x 20 ft. x 7 ft. and weighed 118 gross tons. As well as a regular mail carrier between Clayton and Alexandria Bay, The Islander began island and river tours on July 31, 1893. On Sept. 16, 1909, at the dock at Alexandria Bay, the ship caught fire and burnt. Since the tragedy, The Islander has become a favorite dive site, accessible from shore.
- Underwater life – including largemouth bass, crayfish, sturgeon. Some divers have sighted yellow perch, rainbow trout and pink salmon.
tbd …
- DPV trial: There is potential to try out a DPV – dive propulsion vehicle – under the supervision of Heison – so much fun!
- Night dive: depending on interest
Plan your trip
Touristing: This location is suitable for families and significant others — a great place for sightseeing on a Boldt Castle tour and enjoy other local attractions. More ideas: https://visitalexbay.org/business-listing/family-fun/
Divers are expected to bring everything they need for a day of diving, including:
– water
– sunscreen, hat
– all your own dive gear
– two tanks.
Scuba Gear:
– Bring all your own scuba gear, including two tanks.
– The water is a typical Ontario temperature for mid summer, so expect to need a “double 7 mm” wetsuit with hood, gloves and boots.
– Sample list of scuba gear to bring on the dive trip
Air fills:
Air fills and Nitrox 32 will be available at “All About Scuba 1000 Islands” Dive Shop in Alexandria Bay at:
– address: 45530 NY-12, Alexandria Bay, NY 13607
– website: https://allaboutscuba.com/
Transportation:
Need a Ride / Give a Ride: Watch for a WhatsApp to arrange rides.
If you are driving, please offer a ride to your fellow divers.
Directions: To Alexandria Bay, NY, USA – approx. 3.5 hours from Toronto.
- Use Google Maps.
- Take ON-401 East
- Take ON-137 South to Leeds and the Thousand Islands
- Take I-81 S and NY-12 N to Alexandria Bay, United States
Travel Documents:
- Bring your travel documents, such as your passport, to get into the United States.
- Note: non-Canadian passport holders may require a travel Visa or ESTA. Find out before you go.
- It is the responsibility of the diver to sort out their own required travel documents before leaving Canada.
Accommodation:
For example, Bonnie Castle Resort, Capt. Thomson’s Resort, Capt.’s Inn & Suites. Or, please arrange your own accommodations. There are hotels, lodges, cottages and campgrounds available in the area. Search the internet to find the one that best suits you.
Questions? Contact us
Club Policies:
Read the Club dive policies.
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Don’t forget your Travel Documents for the U.S.
Blue North Scuba Club 