Alexandria Bay, New York

In the 1000 Islands area of northern New York, not far from where Lake Ontario meets the St. Lawrence River, the city of Alexandria Bay beckons visitors with a historic charm capped by the impressive Boldt Castle. But diving, too, is becoming part of the area's appeal. As a key trade route since the 1700s, St. Lawrence River holds many well-preserved freshwater shipwrecks in sites suitable for beginner and experienced divers. Water visibility has increased in recent years as zebra mussels have filtered the region's waters, allowing divers to inspect some of that history. One of Alexandria Bay's most famous pirate stories involves the capture of the Sir Robert Peel in May 1838, during the Patriot War with Canada. A gang of pirates boarded the ship, ordered the passengers and crew to shore, grabbed 20,000 pounds in militia payroll, then torched and fled the vessel. The remnants of the sunken hull still remain there, and have been a popular underwater adventure for divers. Three-masted schooners and commercial freighters also met their watery graves in the river.

Depths to: 130 feet (39 m)

Visibility: 30-80 feet (9-24 m)

Water temperature: 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius) in winter, and 73 F (23 C) in August

Aquatic life: bass, freshwater eels, northern pike, carp, occasional sturgeon, bluegills, perch

Fees: None

On-site amenities: Downtown Alexandria Bay has everything visitors need including lodging, dining, and shopping options.

More info: Call the Alexandria Bay Chamber of Commerce at (800) 541-2110 or dive stores in northern New York.

Open: Year-round, but water surface freezes in winter. The dive season is considered from late April through November. 

Getting there: From Syracuse, New York, take Interstate 81 north, exiting just before reaching Canada. Alexandria Bay is three miles from the interstate.