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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 (3–25 ft) 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 28°C (82°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Moderate window now· until 19:00 · sunset 18:46

Forecast for this hour · 13:00 · run 23 h ago
1.9 m (6.2 ft)waves — about two meters expected (waves — about six feet expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 28°C · seasonal avg 28°C ( · Forecast 82°F · seasonal avg 83°F)

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

Lightest wind: Fri
Mon8:00–19:00 moderate

1.8 m waves · 18 kn wind (6.0 ft waves · 18 kn wind)

Tue8:00–12:00 moderate, 12:00–14:00 favorable, 14:00–19:00 moderate

1.7 m waves · 20 kn wind (5.4 ft waves · 20 kn wind)

Wed8:00–16:00 favorable, 16:00–19:00 moderate

0.9 m waves · 18 kn wind (2.8 ft waves · 18 kn wind)

Thu8:00–19:00 favorable

0.5 m waves · 10 kn wind (1.6 ft waves · 10 kn wind)

Fri8:00–19:00 favorable

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

Sat8:00–19:00 favorable

0.5 m waves · 11 kn wind (1.7 ft waves · 11 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 7:03 · Sunrise 7:26 · Sunset 18:46 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 2.7 km from site · updated 25 Oct, 13:18 GMT-4

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Alligator Reef / USS Alligator Shipwreck

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. January, 85% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 23°C (73°F), waves have typically been 0.7 m (2.4 ft), wind has typically been 16 knots
  2. February, 88% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 24°C (75°F), waves have typically been 0.7 m (2.4 ft), wind has typically been 15 knots
  3. March, 86% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 25°C (78°F), waves have typically been 0.8 m (2.5 ft), wind has typically been 16 knots
  4. April, 83% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 26°C (79°F), waves have typically been 0.8 m (2.7 ft), wind has typically been 16 knots
  5. May, 98% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 29°C (84°F), waves have typically been 0.6 m (1.8 ft), wind has typically been 13 knots
  6. June, 98% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 30°C (86°F), waves have typically been 0.6 m (2.0 ft), wind has typically been 14 knots
  7. July, 99% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 31°C (88°F), waves have typically been 0.5 m (1.7 ft), wind has typically been 12 knots, historically most favorable
  8. August, 96% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 31°C (89°F), waves have typically been 0.6 m (1.8 ft), wind has typically been 13 knots
  9. September, 97% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 31°C (87°F), waves have typically been 0.5 m (1.7 ft), wind has typically been 12 knots
  10. October, 76% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 28°C (83°F), waves have typically been 0.8 m (2.6 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  11. November, 77% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 26°C (79°F), waves have typically been 0.8 m (2.7 ft), wind has typically been 16 knots
  12. December, 71% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 24°C (75°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (2.8 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots

July 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

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.

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