How deep is Moriches Reef?

Moriches Reef ranges from 21.3 to 24.4 metres deep (70–80 feet). It is a saltwater site rated as advanced difficulty. Depths vary across the site, so plan your profile to your training and verify conditions locally.

Is Moriches Reef a shore dive or a boat dive?

Moriches Reef 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 Moriches Reef?

Moriches Reef is rated as advanced difficulty, which may not suit new divers. Listed depths run from 21.3 to 24.4 metres (70–80 feet). Access is by boat. Consider your experience level, conditions, and local guidance before planning.

When is the best time to dive Moriches Reef?

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 Moriches Reef?

Divers at Moriches Reef in United States commonly report sightings of Scup (porgy), Tautog (blackfish), American lobster, Summer flounder (fluke), and Black sea bass. Scup (porgy), Tautog (blackfish), and Black sea bass are recorded as common sightings, while American lobster and Summer flounder (fluke) 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 Moriches Reef?

Open Atlantic depth (70-80 ft), current and swell; fishing tackle on wrecks; boat traffic; limited visibility. Hazards and conditions change, so verify current local information before diving.

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AdvancedBoat entry

Moriches Reef

New York, United States

AOW suggested21–24 m depthBoat entry3mm wetsuit typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

Moriches Reef at a glance

Moriches Reef is an advanced boat dive site in New York, United States with depths of 21.3–24.4 m (70–80 ft). Typically most favorable Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Scup (porgy), Tautog (blackfish), and American lobster. Recent reports put the water around 22°C (72°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Marine model · graded 14h ago

0.9 mwaves — under a meter expected

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 22°C · seasonal avg 21°C

Site hazards: Open Atlantic depth (70-80 ft), current and swell; fishing tackle on wrecks; boat traffic; limited visibility.

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Sat

Fri7:00–20:00

Sat7:00–20:00

Sun7:00–20:00

Mon7:00–20:00

Tue7:00–19:00

Wed7:00–19:00

Thu7:00–19:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 6:00 · Sunrise 6:28 · Sunset 19:07

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 2.3 km from site · graded 14h 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.

Jan30%6°C1.7 m
Feb34%5°C1.7 m
Mar26%6°C1.8 m
Apr40%8°C1.5 m
May62%13°C1.3 m
Jun76%18°C1.1 m
Jul77%23°C1.1 m
Aug67%22°C1.3 m
Sep51%21°C1.5 m
Oct49%18°C1.6 m
Nov40%14°C1.4 m
Dec31%9°C1.7 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

Moriches Reef is an 850-acre NYSDEC artificial reef in the Atlantic Ocean about 2.4 nautical miles south of Moriches Inlet, in 70-80 ft of water. It holds about a dozen sunken vessels plus barges, armored vehicles, Tappan Zee Bridge materials and railcars, with concrete forms added in 2025. A productive advanced boat dive for black sea bass, tautog and scup; visibility typically 10-20 ft. Charter boats such as the Sidekick run from East Moriches.

boatreefwreck

Open Atlantic depth (70-80 ft), current and swell; fishing tackle on wrecks; boat traffic; limited visibility.

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