Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is a marine protected area dedicated to maintaining the Great Lakes and its rich history. The cold, fresh water of Lake Huron has preserved a nationally significant collection of nearly 200 historic shipwrecks in and around the sanctuary. These shipwreck sites can be visited by participating in activities such as diving, snorkeling, and paddling. Through research, education, and community involvement, the sanctuary works to ensure that future generations will continue to experience and enjoy Thunder Bay’s irreplaceable underwater treasures. To learn more about this sanctuary, visitors should stop by the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center.

Located off the northeast coast of Michigan’s lower peninsula, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary encompasses 4,300 square-miles of northwest Lake Huron. The landward boundary of the sanctuary is marked from south of the city of Cheboygan to north of the city of Oscoda. The sanctuary extends east from the lakeshore to the United States/Canadian border.