How deep is McAllister Grounds?

McAllister Grounds ranges from 14.6 to 16.2 metres deep (48–53 feet). It is a saltwater site rated as intermediate difficulty. Depths vary across the site, so plan your profile to your training and verify conditions locally.

Is McAllister Grounds a shore dive or a boat dive?

McAllister Grounds is a boat dive — access is by boat rather than from shore. The entry area is recorded as exposed to surge. No facilities are recorded at the site, and cell service is recorded as good. Entry details and parking notes, where known, are listed in the access section of this page.

Can beginners dive McAllister Grounds?

McAllister Grounds is rated as intermediate difficulty, which may not suit new divers. Listed depths run from 14.6 to 16.2 metres (48–53 feet). Access is by boat. Consider your experience level, conditions, and local guidance before planning.

When is the best time to dive McAllister Grounds?

July-October on calm slack-water days. Weather-limited in winter. Conditions vary, so check the latest reports and forecasts on the dive site page before your trip.

What will I see at McAllister Grounds?

Divers at McAllister Grounds in United States commonly report sightings of Summer flounder (fluke), American lobster, Scup (porgy), Tautog (blackfish), and Black sea bass. Scup (porgy), Tautog (blackfish), and Black sea bass are recorded as common sightings, while Summer flounder (fluke) and American lobster are reported only occasionally. Marine life varies by season and conditions—check the site page for recent diver observations and photos.

What hazards are recorded at McAllister Grounds?

Open Atlantic current and swell; heavy fishing pressure with monofilament/tackle; boat traffic; limited visibility. Hazards and conditions change, so verify current local information before diving.

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IntermediateBoat entry

McAllister Grounds

New York, United States

Open Water suggested15–16 m depthBoat entry3mm wetsuit typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

McAllister Grounds at a glance

McAllister Grounds is an intermediate boat dive site in New York, United States with depths of 14.6–16.2 m (48–53 ft). Typically most favorable Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Summer flounder (fluke), American lobster, and Scup (porgy). Recent reports put the water around 24°C (75°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Marine model · graded 16h ago

0.7 mwaves — under a meter expected

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 24°C · seasonal avg 22°C

Site hazards: Open Atlantic current and swell; heavy fishing pressure with monofilament/tackle; boat traffic; limited visibility.

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Fri

Fri7:00–20:00

Sat7:00–20:00

Sun7:00–20:00

Mon7:00–20:00

Tue7:00–20:00

Wed7:00–20:00

Thu7:00–19:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 6:04 · Sunrise 6:31 · Sunset 19:10

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 4.3 km from site · graded 16h ago

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Forecast · NOAA tide model

Tide & slack timing

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: Scup (porgy), Tautog (blackfish), Black sea bass

Best time: July-October on calm slack-water days.

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.

Jan42%6°C1.4 m
Feb49%5°C1.4 m
Mar38%6°C1.5 m
Apr47%9°C1.3 m
May70%13°C1.1 m
Jun74%18°C1.0 m
Jul82%22°C1.0 m
Aug72%22°C1.1 m
Sep59%22°C1.3 m
Oct54%18°C1.3 m
Nov51%13°C1.2 m
Dec41%9°C1.4 m

July hastypically 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

Fills & rentals nearby

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

Data updated June 2026

Site details

McAllister Grounds (Fishing Line) Reef is a 425-acre NYSDEC artificial reef in the Atlantic Ocean about 2.8 nautical miles south of Long Beach, in 48-53 ft of water. Despite its 'fishing line' name it is a developed reef built from vessels, barges, scow pieces, steel miter/dam gates, a turbine, rock and concrete forms, with concrete blocks/forms added in 2025. It supports black sea bass, tautog and scup; visibility is typically 10-20 ft—an intermediate Atlantic boat dive.

boatreefwreck

Open Atlantic current and swell; heavy fishing pressure with monofilament/tackle; boat traffic; limited visibility.

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