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Map of African Queen Reef
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IntermediateBoat entry

African Queen Reef

Maryland, United States
Open Water suggestedFishing line and hooks on reef structures18–23 m (59–75 ft) depthBoat entry7mm or semi-dry + hood typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

African Queen Reef at a glance

African Queen Reef is an intermediate boat dive site in Maryland, United States with depths of 18–23 m (59–75 ft). Typically most favorable Jun · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Gray triggerfish, Tautog, and Black sea bass. Recent reports put the water around 17°C (62°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Favorable window now· until 19:00 · sunset 18:07

Forecast for this hour · 12:00 · run 22 h ago
1.0 m (3.3 ft)waves — about a meter expected (waves — about three feet expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 17°C · seasonal avg 20°C ( · Forecast 62°F · seasonal avg 67°F)

Site hazards: Fishing line and hooks on reef structures · Variable mid-Atlantic visibility (5-40 ft) · Boat traffic from anglers

All 4 hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Lightest wind: Sat
Mon8:00–19:00 favorable

1.0 m waves · 7 kn wind (3.2 ft waves · 7 kn wind)

Tue8:00–19:00 favorable

1.0 m waves · 10 kn wind (3.1 ft waves · 10 kn wind)

Wed8:00–19:00 favorable

0.9 m waves · 8 kn wind (2.9 ft waves · 8 kn wind)

Thu8:00–19:00 favorable

0.6 m waves · 5 kn wind (2.1 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Fri8:00–19:00 favorable

0.6 m waves · 5 kn wind (1.8 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Sat8:00–19:00 favorable

0.5 m waves · 4 kn wind (1.6 ft waves · 4 kn wind)

SunNot in the forecast yet

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

Every forecast dive window each day, site-local time, from wave and wind forecasts. Numbers under each bar are daylight averages.

First light 6:52 · Sunrise 7:19 · Sunset 18:07 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 10 km from site · updated 25 Oct, 13:17 GMT-4

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near African Queen Reef

Forecast · NOAA tide model

Tide & slack timing

Loading tide predictions

Recent diver reports

Dated firsthand observations from divers — not current conditions.

No diver reports for this site yet. — one dated observation helps every diver after you.

Dived here today — did the forecast match?

What Divers Say

Known for: Tautog, Black sea bass, Summer flounder
Best time: June through October when seas are calmest and visibility peaks.

Based on community reviews and site data. Conditions vary — always verify before diving.

Best months, historically

What conditions have historically been typical at this site, month by month — not a forecast.

  1. January, 39% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 7°C (44°F), waves have typically been 1.4 m (4.6 ft), wind has typically been 21 knots
  2. February, 35% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 6°C (43°F), waves have typically been 1.5 m (4.8 ft), wind has typically been 20 knots
  3. March, 30% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 8°C (46°F), waves have typically been 1.6 m (5.2 ft), wind has typically been 21 knots
  4. April, 49% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 11°C (52°F), waves have typically been 1.4 m (4.5 ft), wind has typically been 19 knots
  5. May, 66% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 15°C (60°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (4.1 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  6. June, 79% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 19°C (67°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.5 ft), wind has typically been 16 knots, historically most favorable
  7. July, 75% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 23°C (73°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.3 ft), wind has typically been 15 knots
  8. August, 65% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 23°C (73°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.2 ft), wind has typically been 15 knots
  9. September, 47% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 23°C (73°F), waves have typically been 1.6 m (5.3 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  10. October, 46% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 20°C (67°F), waves have typically been 1.5 m (5.1 ft), wind has typically been 18 knots
  11. November, 46% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 15°C (59°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.2 ft), wind has typically been 20 knots
  12. December, 47% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 10°C (50°F), waves have typically been 1.4 m (4.7 ft), wind has typically been 20 knots

June has typically had the largest share of favorable days here. Conditions vary year to year — this is historical context, not a forecast.

Based on 3 years of archive data. Bar height shows the share of days each month whose conditions have historically scored favorably.

Marine life seen at this site

Species noted at this site — not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

Rough labels: “Commonly seen” usually means two or more recorded sightings near this site in public dive logs (GBIF), “Occasionally seen” one; “Seasonal” and “Rarely seen” come from dive-guide research. Not a measured rate.

Fills & rentals nearby

No dive shops mapped within 25 km (16 mi). Know one? Add it to the map.

Data updated June 2026

Site details

An 800-acre Maryland artificial reef site 12 nautical miles southeast of the Ocean City Inlet, centered on the wreck of the freighter African Queen, which grounded and broke in two in 1958; the bow and stern sections lie a short distance apart in about 70 ft of water. The periphery has been built up with prefabricated concrete units, cable mounds, an M60 tank and several small sunken vessels. Divers visit it for lobster, sea bass and tautog over the wreckage.

boatreefwreck

Fishing line and hooks on reef structures

Variable mid-Atlantic visibility (5-40 ft)

Boat traffic from anglers

Cold thermoclines

Reviews

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