Semi Local...Isle Royal

[Kirk]

I’ve been up there 6 or 7 times over the past 4 years.  I think the biggest deterrent to diving Isle Royale is the aggregate cost of the trip and the cost per dive.  Much of which is attributable to high gas prices (both gasoline for the boat, and helium for the trimix). 

With the unpredictability of the lake, one is really lucky to get in all 7 dives of a 4-day trip (or 9 dives of a 5 day trip).  You either tend to spend your time hiding out in a sheltered bay waiting for the lake to calm down, or go dive an alternative wreck (the America is a really nice site, but 15/55 trimix is a little over kill for this wreck).

For the cost of a 4 day trip, I can spend two weeks cave diving in North Florida, and do at least 4, and up to 7 times as many dives, and never get weathered out (it usually takes a flood to prevent a dive in a cave). 

I suspect if the lake level drops any more, Isle Royale will essentially be closed to diving.  The water at the marinas in Grand Portage is only so deep, and running the boats from a deeper harbor would only increase the cost of getting to the island.  - Kirk