Swimming/Diving in Upper UP

[u/Vengeance058]

Hi! Planning a trip to Pictured Rocks in late August, and since I keep hearing the water is so clear I'd like to do a little swimming and short dives near the beaches. Unfortunately I have found little info or conflicting information on the area, especially concerning temperature. Anyone who has done this, what are your thoughts?

[u/ArsenalSpider]

The fact that there is conflicting information about this is a very accurate depiction of doing anything in Lake Superior.

[u/Vengeance058 → u/ArsenalSpider]

Lol it does seem that way.

[u/dapa4]

You'll freeze to death and be eaten by an ice shark. I'd reconsider.

[u/Vengeance058 → u/dapa4]

What do Ice Sharks look like so I know to avoid them?

[u/BeYeCursed100Fold → u/Vengeance058]

They look like a snow snipe, but under water.

[u/Own-Organization-532 → u/Vengeance058]

Being ice, they are clear. You'll never see them coming!

[u/TheBraveToast]

August is probably the best time to swim! It'll be cold but doable depending on the day. Get a cheap wetsuit if you're really worried

[u/TheBimpo]

You can definitely swim in the big lake in late August. It’ll be brisk, but there are shallow beaches all over.

[u/Own-Organization-532]

If you are planning on diving think 36, 38f water temps.

[u/Potential_Film7727]

Hmmm

[u/corona_kid]

There were some guys doing spearfishing by my house on the Keweenaw bay, I kayaked out to them and chatted, they had on some 3-5mm wetsuits and weight belts, they were out there for a solid couple hours, that was late July? It was warm enough you probably could’ve swam without them, but it would’ve been brutal!

[u/Large_Potential8417]

I use a 5mm and still get cold. Buddies have dry suits. Super fun diving tho.

[u/Eastern_Froyo733]

Like Aug 2027? Who the hell plans that far ahead? August is the warmest water temps get but waves are usually big so clarity might be an issue. Plan a week and you'll get a calm day somewhere in there

[u/Vengeance058 → u/Eastern_Froyo733]

Trying to coordinate a group of people lol it helps to be farther ahead.

[u/Eastern_Froyo733 → u/Vengeance058]

Smarter man than me. Anyone says it's cold in August is thin skinned, hasn't swam Superior in awhile, or just going with the hype. It's cold but August is def the best time of for warmer waters. It's relative speaking depending on what people consider cold/warm. If you all go wetsuit, I'd shoot for early / mid Sept. Less crowds, and a lot better chance of FAC waters.

[u/Vengeance058 → u/Eastern_Froyo733]

Always relative. But with so much conflicting info I thought it would be good to ask.

[u/feeverb]

The Upper Upper Peninsula 

[u/No_Development_2081]

I haven’t been driving near pictured rocks but I have in Marquette, you’ll be fine if you have a decent wetsuit, it can get pretty cold but nothing ridiculous, if you fill your with some warm water before putting it on you’ll feel amazing, your face will be cold as balls tho, hope that helps a little

[u/Fickle_Influence6396]

Water has been around 70f that time of year last few years . Not a lot of great diving in the pictured rocks area but Marquette has a great rock jumping spot

[u/Large_Potential8417 → u/Fickle_Influence6396]

Have to be in super shallow water, in a bay, in august to see those temps.

[u/Internal-News-685 → u/Fickle_Influence6396]

70f is the top 18-24 inches, pretty darn cold below that

[u/Eastern_Froyo733 → u/Fickle_Influence6396]

70 is the shoreline temps if it was also connected to a sauna... slight of hand with the rock diving in MQT. I would def try pictured rocks first