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September 14-16, 2018

Join Aquaventure for a weekend of Great Lakes shipwreck diving! Aquaventure instructor Mike Daust will be leading this trip to dive some of the popular Lake Michigan wrecks. Whether you’re a novice or experienced tech diver, the wrecks off Milwaukee offer some of the best diving in the Midwest. Here are a few the wrecks we will be diving:

of Mackinac.

Car Ferry Milwaukee

A 318 foot steel railroad car ferry was loaded with 27 box cars and 52 passengers. This is a popular dive destination as there are plenty of things to explore such as railcars, cars, or bath tubs. Penetration is possible for the trained and experienced diver.

Prins Willem V

Prins Willem V Video – click here

Known as the “Willie” this is one of the most popular wrecks in Milwaukee. She lies intact on its starboard side at about 80ft with penetrations possible for the trained and experienced divers. The top side of the wreck can be reached at about 56ft making it a good beginner wreck diving site. While diving this wreck divers can observe the ship in its entirety including a mast on an angle, pilot house, companion ways, and the skylights into the engine room. There are barrels left behind in the cargo holds from when attempts to raise the ship were made. Her bow has been slowly getting berried into the bottom creating an interesting clay wall around. The stern shows the name of the ship and divers have been keeping it clean from algae bloom, zebra and quagga mussels.  Overall this is a very exiting dive site for a dive or two or many.

No. 6 Dredge

This large crane barge sits upside down and is held off the bottom with her boom. Divers can reach her top already at 30ft and the bottom is at about 70ft. It is a great introductory dive where diver can observe the barge’s machinery and structure. It offers overhead swim-throughs, but because the barge is upside down, divers need to exercise caution as not to get disoriented and lost.

Trip Price – $395 (3 days of 2-tank boat dives) Hotel, travel, and meals are not included!

Call us at (763) 424-8717 for reservations!

Minnesota’s Largest Dive Event!

August 18-19, 2018

Join us for our Scuba Palooza 9 with over $5000 in prizes available to win!

Welcome Minnesota’s largest dive event.  A fun filled weekend for the whole family.  Meet new dive buddies as you hunt for medallions in beautiful lake Ore-be-gone.  Scuba Palooza 9 will be held at Sherwood Forest campground on Lake Ore-be-gone.  Plan for a weekend of fun events and fun dive with new friends.

KIDS Pokémon dive!!  That’s right!  This hunt is for certified divers 10-17 years of age.  Find the Pokémon (hidden within 25′ of water) and receive a $50 Aquaventure gift card!

Lake Ore-be-gone is one of Minnesota’s premiere dive destinations!  It’s clear water boasts many dive attractions.  Such as a WWII fighter plane, two military helicopters, a bus, twin engine airplane, a car, bicycle graveyard, transport speeders, a boat , and more!

If you’re not a diver – no problem.  Gilbert has many activities available for you too.  Mountain biking, four wheeling, hiking, and more.

Scuba Palooza Video

Scuba Palooza Gallery

We will be camping at Sherwood Forest Campground.  Each campsite can host multiple tents or a camper and a tent.

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at event.  Non-divers $5 for the BBQ.

• Medallion Hunt
• Photo Hunt
• Kids Pokémon Hunt
• Huge Raffle
• BBQ
• Campfire Social
• Movies

Palooza Schedule 2018 – click link for downloadable schedule

• 9:00am-11:00am – Registration at lakeside pavilion
• 11:00am – Medallion Hunt begins
  
• 11:00am – Photo Hunt begins
• 12:30-2:30pm – BBQ Lunch at Lakeside Pavilion
• 5:00pm – Awards, raffle, and prize distribution at campsites D8 & D9 under pavilion
• 6:30pm – Corn Hole tournament
• 8:00pm – Campfire movies

Scuba Palooza Rules:  Divers should be ready to enter the water at 11:00 am when the air horn sounds.  No Scuba Palooza participating divers are allowed in the water Saturday morning before the horn sounds at 11:00 am!  ONLY ONE medallion per person!  Please do not take more than one medallion from the lake!  Participants will not know the medallion’s corresponding prize until the prizes are awarded.  There are 15 medallions hidden throughout the lake.  All medallions are within 60′ of water (most within 40′).  Maps of the dive site locations are at the lakeside pavilion.  Bring your medallion to the pavilion if you find one!  PLEASE BE CONSIDERATE searcher…DO NOT remove, misplace, break, or ruin any part of any divesite!  Thank you and good luck!!

For reservations contact – Sherwood Forest Campground,  101 W Wisconsin Ave E, Gilbert, MN 55741, (218) 748-2221  NOTE – Even if the campground is Sold Out there generally plenty of room in their overflow area.  Multiple tents can also be put on each campsite for $10 per tent. 

NOTE – If you plan on renting gear from Aquaventure Dive & Photo Center for Scuba Palooza 8, please reserve your gear early as we run out every year!

Sponsored by:

Sold Out!

November 11-18, 2017

Join Jamie Sledd & Jolene Philbrook on Aquaventure’s 1ST ALL WOMEN’S TRIP!  That’s right, no studs or duds, just women!

The Diving

The Mesoamerican Reef is the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere. Spanning across the coast of 4 countries and nearly 700 miles, this reef boasts an astounding biodiversity of marine species with 65 species of stony coral, 350 species of mollusk and over 500 species of fish in addition to rare endangered and protected animals like Sea Turtles and Manatees. Divers from all over the world travel to the Mesoamerican Reef for the opportunity to explore the secret underwater treasures buried beneath the waves.

The reef itself begins just minutes from shore, with plateaus at 10ft, 20ft, 45ft and then the amazing wall that drops away in places to over 2000+ feet. The ocean offshore is generally very calm and this area doesn’t experience too many strong currents, meaning the conditions here are perfect for divers of all levels, from beginners to the most advanced diver.  You can take the plunge and discover world famous dive sites such as West End Wall, Texas, Mandy’s Eel Garden, Blue Channel, Hole in the Wall, the El Aguila Wreck and many more. Whether your passion is for swimthroughs, wrecks, caves, walls, or stunning shallow reefs-Roatan has it all!

Over the reef you will be amazed as you discover countless trumpetfish, trunkfish, drum fish, hogfish, crabs, lobsters, scorpionfish, cowfish, filefish, eels and maybe even a squid or two. For those who love macro we also have a good population of nudibranchs, seahorses, pipefish, pipehorses, blennies, worms, sea spiders and many species of shrimp. Keep your eyes peeled on the sand and rubble patches for jawfish, flounders, mantis shrimp, conch and stingrays.  The reef itself is made up of a smorgasbord of hard and soft corals, corallimorphs, sea fans, tunicates, anemones and sponges of all colours, shapes and sizes.

The Resort

We will be staying at the Mayan Princess.  Enjoy the 250ft blue lagoon pool & heated 8 person jacuzzi, free in-villa & public area wifi, beach volleyball, board games, book exchange, and canopied shade beds & lounge chairs. Dine at 4 all-inclusive restaurants with á la carte & buffet style natural, low calorie, vegetarian and deli-style menus as well as unlimited premium drinks including domestic & international liquors, beers & wines and take in daily entertainment like live music and cultural shows.

Relax at Kukut (meaning “body” in ancient Mayan) spa with massage, facials, waxing & nail services or explore the island with the resorts onsite tour coordinator.

This ALL-INCLUSIVE Trip Includes:

• Round trip airfare from Minneapolis
• Round trip airport transfers
• Hotel taxes and fees
• 7 nights at the Mayan Princess Resort in a 1-bedroom pool villa
• 3 meals daily
• 3 Onsite Specialty Restaurants for Dinner
• Unlimited premium Honduran liquor
• 15 boat dives
• 1 night dive
• Tanks & weights
• Scuba tune-up at Aquaventure pool
• Pre-trip meeting and post-trip party
• Total cost is based on Double Occupancy

Rates and Options:

Diver or Non-Diver Double Occupancy Poolview Rate:  $1920

Diver Single Occupancy Poolview Rate:   $2525

Non-Diver Single Occupancy Poolview Rate:  $2150

Beachfront Upgrade:  ADD $250 to above prices

NOTE: $300 Non Refundable deposit holds your spot for this trip. Final payment is due by September 1, 2017. We strongly recommend travelers insurance, ask for details. Land/dive/air prices are payable by cash, check, or credit card and are quoted to reflect a 3% cash discount. If you wish to use a credit card, this 3% discount will not apply to the above quoted price. Airfare rates are based on early sign up, future rates are approximate, call for current price. Due to rising fuel costs, airlines have been imposing additional charges without notice, prices subject to change.