Wreck of the Uss San Diego

Historic WWI warship wreck teeming with diverse marine life.

Boat Access
30m Avg Depth
34m Max Depth

About this dive site

This dive site presents the wreck of the USS San Diego, a significant warship lost in 1918 off Cherry Grove on Fire Island, New York. The wreck lies at a depth of 110 feet and is surrounded by numerous other shipwrecks, including the Cunard Liner SS Oregon, which sank in 1886. The San Diego played a crucial role during World War I, escorting convoys carrying vital supplies across the dangerous North Atlantic from Tompkinsville, N.Y., and Halifax, N.S., to Europe. It was tragically torpedoed by German submarine U-156 southeast of Fire Island on July 19, 1918, sinking in just 28 minutes with the loss of six lives – a heartbreaking event as the only major warship lost by the United States during that conflict. The site is well-documented and frequently visited by divers. The waters surrounding the wreck are teeming with marine life, including anenomies, lobsters, and various fish species finding shelter within the ship's remains. It’s a popular destination offering both historical significance and underwater exploration.

Diving Freediving Snorkeling

Site Ratings

Big Marine Life Good
Macro Marine Life Very Good
Landscape Quality Excellent
Water Visibility Good Viz
Famousness Famous

Plan Your Visit

wrecksharkadvanced onlyboat divehistoric wreckcold water

Marine Life

sand tiger sharklobsteranemoneblack sea basstautogcunner

Things to Note

Difficulty:

Advanced

Deep wreck at 34m requires advanced certification and experience.

Hazards:
depthcurrententanglementboat traffic
Current Strength:

Variable

Diving Conditions

Water Temperature Now: 21.3°C

Wind

Tide

Swell

Swell Height (m)
Swell Period (s)

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