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Map of Purnell's Reef
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Boat entry

Purnell's Reef

Maryland, United States
Open Water suggestedFishing line and hooks7–10 m (23–33 ft) depthBoat entry7mm or semi-dry + hood 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 Gray triggerfish, Tautog, and Black sea bass. Recent reports put the water around 16°C (62°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

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

Forecast for this hour · 0:00 · run 23 h ago
0.9 m (3.0 ft)waves — under a meter expected (waves — about three feet expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 16°C · seasonal avg 19°C ( · Forecast 62°F · seasonal avg 67°F)

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

All 3 hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Smallest waves: Fri
Mon8:00–19:00 favorable

0.8 m waves · 4 kn wind (2.7 ft waves · 4 kn wind)

Tue8:00–19:00 favorable

0.8 m waves · 10 kn wind (2.6 ft waves · 10 kn wind)

Wed8:00–19:00 favorable

0.7 m waves · 8 kn wind (2.4 ft waves · 8 kn wind)

Thu8:00–19:00 favorable

0.5 m waves · 4 kn wind (1.7 ft waves · 4 kn wind)

Fri8:00–19:00 favorable

0.4 m waves · 4 kn wind (1.3 ft waves · 4 kn wind)

Sat8:00–19:00 favorable

0.7 m waves · 7 kn wind (2.2 ft waves · 7 kn wind)

SunNot in the forecast yet

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 6:53 · Sunrise 7:20 · Sunset 18:07 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 17 km from site · updated 25 Oct, 01:25 GMT-4

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Purnell's 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: Tautog, Black sea bass
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.

  1. January, 71% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 6°C (42°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.3 ft), wind has typically been 14 knots
  2. February, 67% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 6°C (42°F), waves have typically been 1.4 m (4.5 ft), wind has typically been 13 knots
  3. March, 63% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 8°C (47°F), waves have typically been 1.5 m (4.9 ft), wind has typically been 15 knots
  4. April, 77% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 12°C (54°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.3 ft), wind has typically been 14 knots
  5. May, 85% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 17°C (62°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (3.8 ft), wind has typically been 12 knots
  6. June, 92% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 22°C (71°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.3 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots
  7. July, 98% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 25°C (77°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (3.0 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots, historically most favorable
  8. August, 84% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 24°C (76°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (3.9 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots
  9. September, 63% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 23°C (74°F), waves have typically been 1.5 m (5.0 ft), wind has typically been 12 knots
  10. October, 69% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 19°C (67°F), waves have typically been 1.5 m (4.8 ft), wind has typically been 12 knots
  11. November, 74% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 14°C (58°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (3.9 ft), wind has typically been 12 knots
  12. December, 70% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 8°C (47°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.4 ft), wind has typically been 13 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

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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