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Map of Cape May - Redbird Reef III
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Boat entry

Cape May - Redbird Reef III

New Jersey, United States
Open Water suggestedNew Jersey offshore reef/wreck diving13–18 m (42–59 ft) depthBoat entry7mm or semi-dry + hood typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

Cape May - Redbird Reef III at a glance

Cape May - Redbird Reef III is a boat dive site in New Jersey, United States with depths of 12.8–18 m (42–59 ft). Typically most favorable Jun · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Black sea bass, Summer flounder (fluke), and Blue mussel. 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 18:05

Forecast for this hour · 10:00 · run 8 h ago
0.9 m (3.1 ft)waves — under a meter expected (waves — about three feet expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 17°C · seasonal avg 19°C ( · Forecast 62°F · seasonal avg 66°F)

Site hazards: New Jersey offshore reef/wreck diving

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Mon8:00–19:00 favorable

0.9 m waves · 8 kn wind (3.1 ft waves · 8 kn wind)

Tue8:00–19:00 favorable

1.1 m waves · 17 kn wind (3.5 ft waves · 17 kn wind)

Wed8:00–19:00 favorable

0.9 m waves · 6 kn wind (2.8 ft waves · 6 kn wind)

Thu8:00–19:00 favorable

0.6 m waves · 5 kn wind (1.9 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Fri8:00–19:00 favorable

0.6 m waves · 7 kn wind (1.9 ft waves · 7 kn wind)

Sat8:00–18:00 favorable

0.6 m waves · 8 kn wind (2.1 ft waves · 8 kn wind)

Sun8:00–18:00 favorable

0.7 m waves · 4 kn wind (2.4 ft waves · 4 kn wind)

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 18:05 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 2.6 km from site · updated 26 Oct, 01:22 GMT-4

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Cape May - Redbird Reef III

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: Black sea bass, Blue mussel, Scup (porgy)
Best time: May through October is the prime season; late summer brings the warmest water and best visibility. Winter diving requires drysuit and experience.

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, 33% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 6°C (42°F), waves have typically been 1.4 m (4.5 ft), wind has typically been 22 knots
  2. February, 39% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 5°C (41°F), waves have typically been 1.4 m (4.7 ft), wind has typically been 20 knots
  3. March, 30% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 7°C (44°F), waves have typically been 1.6 m (5.1 ft), wind has typically been 21 knots
  4. April, 48% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 11°C (51°F), waves have typically been 1.4 m (4.4 ft), wind has typically been 20 knots
  5. May, 68% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 15°C (59°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (3.9 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  6. June, 77% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 20°C (67°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.5 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots, historically most favorable
  7. July, 76% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 24°C (75°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.2 ft), wind has typically been 15 knots
  8. August, 70% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 23°C (73°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (4.0 ft), wind has typically been 16 knots
  9. September, 53% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 23°C (73°F), waves have typically been 1.5 m (5.0 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  10. October, 48% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 19°C (66°F), waves have typically been 1.5 m (4.8 ft), wind has typically been 18 knots
  11. November, 46% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 14°C (57°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (4.0 ft), wind has typically been 21 knots
  12. December, 41% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 8°C (47°F), waves have typically been 1.4 m (4.5 ft), wind has typically been 21 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 July 2026

Site details

Artificial reef built from Subway Car (Redbird III) NJDEP deployment record: Subway car, material: Subway Car (Redbird III), deployed 2003.

reef

New Jersey offshore reef/wreck diving — cold water (near-freezing at depth in winter, mid-70s F at surface in summer) with thermoclines; limited visibility (often 5-20 ft); currents and surge; heavy fishing pressure means monofilament line and hanging gear on structure (cutting tool essential); boat traffic (SMB and dive flag required); structures may have sharp edges and unstable sections.

Reviews

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