Humber Bay
From DiveSpot
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[edit] Location
Close to downtown Toronto - N 43.614803, W 79.477952
Lake Ontario, Ontario.
[edit] Conditions
Current: weak to non-existent
Depth: shore to 12m
Visibility: highly variable, depending on wind conditions. Northerly winds are good and visibility can go beyond 10m in calm northerly conditions. Southerly winds can bring in silty currents that drop visibility to 1m and less. Significant waves churn up the sandy shore.
Water temperature: From 2°C (Jan.) to 25°C (August)
[edit] Description
The quintessential training site in the Greater Toronto Area. Ideal for skills practice. Easy access to the nearby parking lot with surrounding picknick tables, a short walk to the shore, and easy water access. Most dives go east along the south side of the jetty, along a jumble of Zebra-mussel covered rocks to find a line to a T-junction at an old exercise bicycle at about 10m, then turn right (South) along the line to a number of objects, including an old culvert, a mannikin ("Ursula") and a rooster. When visibility is good, you may notice interesting rock or clay formations to your right. Alternatively, the left-hand line will take you in a northerly direction, to an old toilet.
Vegetation on the sandy bottom is sparse.
Fish are rare, save for the occasional carp during daytime and a recently increased crowd of Round Goby sitting on the rock surfaces evenings and at night.
Humber Bay rarely freezes over, thus can be dived all year.
[edit] Access
Turn south from Lake Shore Boulevard West (refer to the Map). As you enter the park area, most dives start from the second parking lot on the left (where the Map coordinates are centred).
In case the parking lot gates are locked in Winter, you can park on the street in front of the gate.
[edit] Hazards
Watch for wire and rebar when entering. Water quality can be variable, as is expected due to the city's proximity, and Giardia infections have been reported. Expect motor- and sailboat traffic in the summer due to the nearby marina; take an SMB for safe surfacing.
[edit] Recent Conditions
| Date | Temperature | Visibility |
|---|---|---|
| 2007-04-24 | 5° | 10m |
| 2007-10-08 | 24° | 6m |
| 2009-11-01 | 11° | 3m |
