Skip to content
Map of Liberty Ship - Thomas Hayward
Add the first photo
IntermediateBoat entry

Liberty Ship - Thomas Hayward

Florida, United States
AOW suggestedOffshore Gulf artificial-reef site27 m (87 ft) depthBoat entry3mm wetsuit typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

Liberty Ship - Thomas Hayward at a glance

Liberty Ship - Thomas Hayward is an intermediate boat dive site in Florida, United States with depths of up to 26.5 m (87 ft). Typically most favorable Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Gag grouper, Sheepshead, and Lionfish (invasive). Recent reports put the water around 25°C (77°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

No window today· next: tomorrow 7:00–19:00 · favorable & moderate

Forecast for this hour · 21:00 · run 21 h ago
0.7 m (2.4 ft)waves — under a meter expected (waves — about two feet expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 25°C · seasonal avg 26°C ( · Forecast 77°F · seasonal avg 78°F)

Site hazards: Offshore Gulf artificial-reef site

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Lightest wind: Tue
SunNo window

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

Mon7:00–9:00 moderate, 9:00–19:00 favorable

0.8 m waves · 14 kn wind (2.6 ft waves · 14 kn wind)

Tue7:00–19:00 favorable

0.7 m waves · 7 kn wind (2.1 ft waves · 7 kn wind)

Wed7:00–19:00 favorable

0.8 m waves · 9 kn wind (2.5 ft waves · 9 kn wind)

Thu7:00–19:00 favorable

0.7 m waves · 10 kn wind (2.2 ft waves · 10 kn wind)

Fri7:00–19:00 favorable

0.7 m waves · 9 kn wind (2.4 ft waves · 9 kn wind)

Sat8:00–18:00 favorable

1.0 m waves · 8 kn wind (3.2 ft waves · 8 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 6:31 · Sunrise 6:55 · Sunset 18:05 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 2.6 km from site · updated 25 Oct, 00:24 GMT-5

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Liberty Ship - Thomas Hayward

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: Gag grouper, Sheepshead, Lionfish (invasive)
Best time: May through October offers the calmest seas and clearest water in the northern Gulf; spring water is often murky. Visibility typically 20-60 ft, best in summer.

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, 81% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 16°C (60°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.5 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots
  2. February, 92% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 17°C (62°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (2.9 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots
  3. March, 87% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 19°C (67°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.1 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots
  4. April, 87% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 22°C (71°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (3.0 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots
  5. May, 98% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 26°C (79°F), waves have typically been 0.7 m (2.3 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots
  6. June, 94% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 29°C (84°F), waves have typically been 0.8 m (2.5 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots
  7. July, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 30°C (86°F), waves have typically been 0.6 m (1.8 ft), wind has typically been 8 knots, historically most favorable
  8. August, 99% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 31°C (88°F), waves have typically been 0.6 m (1.8 ft), wind has typically been 8 knots
  9. September, 97% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 29°C (85°F), waves have typically been 0.6 m (2.0 ft), wind has typically been 8 knots
  10. October, 98% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 26°C (78°F), waves have typically been 0.7 m (2.4 ft), wind has typically been 9 knots
  11. November, 92% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 22°C (71°F), waves have typically been 0.8 m (2.6 ft), wind has typically been 9 knots
  12. December, 95% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 18°C (64°F), waves have typically been 0.8 m (2.7 ft), wind has typically been 9 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 June 2026

Site details

Artificial reef built from Liberty Ship, the "Thomas Heyward"

reefwreck

Offshore Gulf artificial-reef site — heavy boat and fishing traffic (carry SMB and signaling devices); monofilament line on structure is a common entanglement risk (cutting tool advised); currents magnified around large structures; razor-sharp barnacles and stinging hydroids on structure (gloves and full exposure protection); low-relief sites can be easy to miss and structures may shift or bury after hurricanes; strong summer thermocline can drop temperatures sharply at depth.

Reviews

No reviews yet — this site is waiting for its first. Dived here? Your rating and a few lines help the next diver.

Spot something off?

Help keep this listing accurate for the next diver.