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Map of Redbird Reef - Chesapeake Cruiser
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Redbird Reef - Chesapeake Cruiser

Delaware, United States
AOW suggestedDepth (80-110 ft)24–30 m depthBoat entry3mm wetsuit typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

Redbird Reef - Chesapeake Cruiser at a glance

Redbird Reef - Chesapeake Cruiser is a advanced boat dive site in Delaware, United States with depths of 24–30 m (79–98 ft). Typically most favorable Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Black sea bass, Tautog, and Frilled anemone. Recent reports put the water around 23°C (73°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Marine model · graded 4h ago
0.9 mwaves — under a meter expected

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 23°C · seasonal avg 24°C

Site hazards: Depth (80-110 ft) · Offshore currents · Fishing line and hooks

All 5 hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Sat
Sun5:00–20:00
Mon5:00–20:00
Tue5:00–20:00
Wed5:00–20:00
Thu5:00–20:00
Fri5:00–20:00
Sat6:00–20:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 4:25 · Sunrise 4:55 · Sunset 19:15

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 4.2 km from site · graded 4h ago

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

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.

What Divers Say

Known for: Black sea bass, Tautog, Frilled anemone
Best time: Summer and early fall for the calmest seas and 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. Jan25%8°C1.8 m
  2. Feb20%7°C1.7 m
  3. Mar24%7°C1.9 m
  4. Apr39%10°C1.6 m
  5. May54%14°C1.4 m
  6. Jun67%19°C1.2 m
  7. Jul68%24°C1.1 m
  8. Aug56%23°C1.4 m
  9. Sep39%22°C1.8 m
  10. Oct37%19°C1.8 m
  11. Nov38%16°C1.5 m
  12. Dec29%11°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

  • Black sea bassCommonly seen
  • TautogCommonly seen
  • Frilled anemoneCommonly seen
  • Blue musselCommonly seen
  • Summer flounderCommonly seen
  • American lobsterOccasionally seen

Fills & rentals nearby

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

Site details

Redbird Reef is Delaware's best-known artificial reef, 16.5 nautical miles off the coast, built from more than 700 retired New York City 'Redbird' subway cars plus 86 military vehicles, eight tugboats and barges and thousands of tons of ballasted material. The structures sit in roughly 80-110 ft of water and are completely encrusted with cold-water corals, frilled anemones and mussels, with sea bass, tautog and flounder swimming through the car windows. The Chesapeake Cruiser record marks one of the reefed workboats on the site.

boatreefwreck

Depth (80-110 ft)

Offshore currents

Fishing line and hooks

deteriorating subway car structures (no penetration)

Variable visibility

Reviews

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