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Map of Alligator Reef / USS Alligator Shipwreck
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Boat entry

Alligator Reef / USS Alligator Shipwreck

Florida, United States
Open Water suggested1–8 m depthBoat entryRash guard or 2mm shorty typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

Alligator Reef / USS Alligator Shipwreck at a glance

Alligator Reef / USS Alligator Shipwreck is a boat dive site in Florida, United States with depths of 0.9–7.6 m (3–25 ft). Typically most favorable Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Nurse shark, Sea turtle, and coral. Recent reports put the water around 31°C (88°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Marine model · graded 2h ago
0.5 mwaves — under a meter expected

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 31°C · seasonal avg 31°C

Site hazards: Boat traffic, shallow coral contact, sun exposure, occasional current, protected cultural resources, and no anchoring/removal/disturbance rules.

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Sun
Fri14:00–20:00
Sat14:00–20:00
Sun8:00–20:00
Mon8:00–20:00
Tue8:00–20:00
Wed8:00–20:00
Thu8:00–20:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 6:44 · Sunrise 7:07 · Sunset 19:30

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 2.7 km from site · graded 2h ago

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

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: coral, Reef fish
Best time: Year-round; calmer seas and clearer water are often best in late spring through early fall outside storm events.

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. Jan85%23°C0.7 m
  2. Feb88%24°C0.7 m
  3. Mar86%25°C0.8 m
  4. Apr83%26°C0.8 m
  5. May98%29°C0.6 m
  6. Jun98%30°C0.6 m
  7. Jul99%31°C0.5 m
  8. Aug96%31°C0.6 m
  9. Sep97%31°C0.5 m
  10. Oct76%28°C0.8 m
  11. Nov77%26°C0.8 m
  12. Dec71%24°C0.8 m

July hastypically 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

Fills & rentals nearby

Facts from OpenStreetMap, corrected by the community — listed by distance only. Details change; confirm with the shop.

Shop facts come from OpenStreetMap and community corrections, shown nearest first. PickADive lists facts and contacts only — no listing is sponsored or ranked.

Data updated July 2026

Site details

Shallow reef and protected historic wreck area near Alligator Reef Lighthouse off Islamorada. Divers and snorkelers visit coral habitat, fish life, and ballast/wreck remains traditionally associated with USS Alligator, while acknowledging some uncertainty about exact wreck attribution. This is a boat-access Sanctuary Preservation Area style dive/snorkel site, not a shore dive.

boatreefwreck

Boat traffic, shallow coral contact, sun exposure, occasional current, protected cultural resources, and no anchoring/removal/disturbance rules.

Reviews

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