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Map of Hempstead Reef
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IntermediateBoat entry

Hempstead Reef

New York, United States
Open Water suggested15–22 m (50–72 ft) depthBoat entry7mm or semi-dry + hood typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

Hempstead Reef at a glance

Hempstead Reef is an intermediate boat dive site in New York, United States with depths of 15.2–21.9 m (50–72 ft). Typically most favorable Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Summer flounder (fluke), Tautog (blackfish), and American lobster. Recent reports put the water around 16°C (61°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

No window today· next: tomorrow 8:00–18:00 · favorable

Forecast for this hour · 18:00 · run 17 h ago
0.6 m (2.1 ft)waves — under a meter expected (waves — about two feet expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 16°C · seasonal avg 18°C ( · Forecast 61°F · seasonal avg 65°F)

Site hazards: Open-Atlantic site exposed to weather and seas; the reef is a popular saltwater fishing destination, so expect angler boat traffic and fishing line snagged on structures; cold water much of the year (drysuits required roughly November through May); structures are widely scattered, so straying off the anchor line over open sand is easy.

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

SunNo window

0.6 m waves · 4 kn wind (2.1 ft waves · 4 kn wind)

Mon8:00–18:00 favorable

0.7 m waves · 12 kn wind (2.2 ft waves · 12 kn wind)

Tue8:00–18:00 favorable

0.8 m waves · 10 kn wind (2.5 ft waves · 10 kn wind)

Wed8:00–18:00 favorable

0.7 m waves · 8 kn wind (2.2 ft waves · 8 kn wind)

Thu8:00–18:00 favorable

0.6 m waves · 8 kn wind (2.0 ft waves · 8 kn wind)

Fri8:00–18:00 favorable

0.5 m waves · 9 kn wind (1.6 ft waves · 9 kn wind)

Sat8:00–18:00 favorable

0.5 m waves · 10 kn wind (1.5 ft waves · 10 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 6:48 · Sunrise 7:16 · Sunset 17:59 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 2.6 km from site · updated 25 Oct, 01:23 GMT-4

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Hempstead 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 (blackfish), Black sea bass, Scup (porgy)
Best time: July through September, when Long Island waters are warmest with the season's best visibility; drysuits are required November through May.

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, 42% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 6°C (43°F), waves have typically been 1.4 m (4.6 ft), wind has typically been 21 knots
  2. February, 49% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 5°C (41°F), waves have typically been 1.4 m (4.5 ft), wind has typically been 20 knots
  3. March, 38% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 6°C (43°F), waves have typically been 1.5 m (5.0 ft), wind has typically been 21 knots
  4. April, 47% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 9°C (48°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.4 ft), wind has typically been 20 knots
  5. May, 70% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 13°C (56°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.7 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  6. June, 74% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 18°C (64°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.4 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  7. July, 82% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 22°C (72°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.2 ft), wind has typically been 15 knots, historically most favorable
  8. August, 72% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 22°C (72°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.7 ft), wind has typically been 16 knots
  9. September, 59% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 22°C (71°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.4 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  10. October, 54% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 18°C (65°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.4 ft), wind has typically been 18 knots
  11. November, 51% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 13°C (56°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 9°C (47°F), waves have typically been 1.4 m (4.7 ft), wind has typically been 21 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

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

Data updated June 2026

Site details

Artificial reef built from 14 vessels, 2 barges, 3 steel power plant turbines, 16 steel center beam railcars, surplus armored vehicles, 1 drydock, Tappan Zee bridge materials, City Island bridge materials, steel bridge trusses, and concrete rubble

reefwreck

Open-Atlantic site exposed to weather and seas; the reef is a popular saltwater fishing destination, so expect angler boat traffic and fishing line snagged on structures; cold water much of the year (drysuits required roughly November through May); structures are widely scattered, so straying off the anchor line over open sand is easy.

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