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Boat entry

Little Egg - J. Drew Messler Reef

New Jersey, United States
Open Water suggestedNew Jersey offshore reef/wreck diving16–17 m (52–56 ft) depthBoat entry7mm or semi-dry + hood typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

Little Egg - J. Drew Messler Reef at a glance

Little Egg - J. Drew Messler Reef is a boat dive site in New Jersey, United States with depths of 15.8–17.1 m (52–56 ft). Typically most favorable Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Black sea bass, American lobster, and Cunner. Recent reports put the water around 17°C (62°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Next window today· 8:00–19:00 · favorable & moderate · sunset 18:07

Forecast for this hour · 6:00 · run 5 h ago
2.1 m (6.8 ft)waves — about two meters expected (waves — about seven 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

Smallest waves: Wed
Thu8:00–13:00 moderate, 13:00–19:00 favorable

1.7 m waves · 16 kn wind (5.6 ft waves · 16 kn wind)

Fri8:00–18:00 moderate, 18:00–19:00 favorable

1.4 m waves · 19 kn wind (4.7 ft waves · 19 kn wind)

Sat8:00–19:00 favorable

1.0 m waves · 5 kn wind (3.3 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Sun8:00–19:00 favorable

0.9 m waves · 5 kn wind (3.1 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Mon8:00–19:00 favorable

0.8 m waves · 8 kn wind (2.7 ft waves · 8 kn wind)

Tue8:00–19:00 favorable

0.9 m waves · 8 kn wind (2.9 ft waves · 8 kn wind)

Wed8:00–18:00 favorable

0.7 m waves · 10 kn wind (2.4 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 6:46 · Sunrise 7:14 · Sunset 18:07 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 3.8 km from site · updated 22 Oct, 01:18 GMT-4

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Little Egg - J. Drew Messler 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: Black sea bass, American lobster, Cunner
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, 35% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 6°C (43°F), waves have typically been 1.5 m (4.9 ft), wind has typically been 21 knots
  2. February, 32% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 5°C (42°F), waves have typically been 1.5 m (5.0 ft), wind has typically been 21 knots
  3. March, 28% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 6°C (44°F), waves have typically been 1.6 m (5.4 ft), wind has typically been 21 knots
  4. April, 43% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 9°C (49°F), waves have typically been 1.4 m (4.7 ft), wind has typically been 20 knots
  5. May, 67% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 14°C (57°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.1 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  6. June, 71% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 18°C (65°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.6 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  7. July, 76% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 23°C (73°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.3 ft), wind has typically been 16 knots, historically most favorable
  8. August, 65% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 22°C (72°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.1 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  9. September, 44% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 22°C (71°F), waves have typically been 1.6 m (5.1 ft), wind has typically been 18 knots
  10. October, 46% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 19°C (66°F), waves have typically been 1.6 m (5.1 ft), wind has typically been 19 knots
  11. November, 44% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 14°C (58°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.3 ft), wind has typically been 21 knots
  12. December, 42% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 9°C (48°F), waves have typically been 1.5 m (4.9 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 July 2026

Site details

Artificial reef built from M-113 Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) NJDEP deployment record: Military vehicle, material: M-113 Armored Personnel Carrier (APC), deployed 1996.

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.

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