How deep is Purnell's Reef?

Purnell's Reef has a depth range of 7–10 metres (23–33 feet). Check the dive site page for current conditions and any depth-specific guidance before planning your dive.

When is the best time to dive Purnell's Reef?

The best time to dive Purnell's Reef is typically Calm summer days with several days of settled weather for best visibility.. Conditions vary, so check the latest reports and forecasts on the dive site page before your trip.

What will I see at Purnell's Reef?

Divers at Purnell's Reef in United States commonly report sightings of Black sea bass, Tautog, Atlantic spadefish, Atlantic croaker, and Gray triggerfish. Marine life varies by season and conditions—check the site page for recent diver observations and photos.

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Boat entry

Purnell's Reef

Maryland, United States

Open Water suggestedFishing line and hooks7–10 m depthBoat entry3mm wetsuit typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

Purnell's Reef at a glance

Purnell's Reef is a boat dive site in Maryland, United States with depths of 7–10 m (23–33 ft). Typically most favorable Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Black sea bass, Tautog, and Atlantic spadefish. Recent reports put the water around 24°C (74°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Marine model · graded 4h ago

0.6 mwaves — under a meter expected

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 24°C · seasonal avg 25°C

Site hazards: Fishing line and hooks · Heavy summer boat traffic

All 3 hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Mon

Sun6:00–21:00

Mon6:00–21:00

Tue6:00–21:00

Wed7:00–21:00

Thu7:00–21:00

Fri7:00–21:00

Sat7:00–21:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 5:27 · Sunrise 5:57 · Sunset 20:15

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 17 km from site · graded 4h 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.

What Divers Say

Known for: Black sea bass, Tautog

Best time: Calm summer days with several days of settled weather for best visibility.

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.

Jan71%6°C1.3 m
Feb67%6°C1.4 m
Mar63%8°C1.5 m
Apr77%12°C1.3 m
May85%17°C1.2 m
Jun92%22°C1.0 m
Jul98%25°C0.9 m
Aug84%24°C1.2 m
Sep63%23°C1.5 m
Oct69%19°C1.5 m
Nov74%14°C1.2 m
Dec70%8°C1.3 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

Black sea bassCommonly seen
TautogCommonly seen
Atlantic spadefishSeasonal
Atlantic croakerSeasonal
Gray triggerfishSeasonal

Fills & rentals nearby

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

Site details

Purnell's Reef is a 413-acre Maryland artificial reef site 2.4 nautical miles northeast of the Ocean City Inlet, built from prefabricated concrete modules and concrete rubble in roughly 30-35 ft of water. The shallow depth and short run from the inlet make it one of the easiest ocean reef dives off Ocean City, holding sea bass, tautog, spadefish, croaker and triggerfish in season.

boatreefwreck

Fishing line and hooks

surge and low visibility in shallow water after weather

Heavy summer boat traffic

Reviews

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