How deep is Smithtown Reef?

Smithtown Reef ranges from 9.1 to 12.2 metres deep (30–40 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 Smithtown Reef a shore dive or a boat dive?

Smithtown Reef is a boat dive — access is by boat rather than from shore. The entry area is recorded as moderately 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 Smithtown Reef?

Smithtown Reef is rated as intermediate difficulty, which may not suit new divers. Listed depths run from 9.1 to 12.2 metres (30–40 feet). Access is by boat. Consider your experience level, conditions, and local guidance before planning.

When is the best time to dive Smithtown Reef?

Summer and fall on slack tide. 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 Smithtown Reef?

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

Long Island Sound current and boat traffic; reduced visibility on tides; fishing tackle on structure. Hazards and conditions change, so verify current local information before diving.

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IntermediateBoat entry

Smithtown Reef

New York, United States

Open Water suggested9–12 m depthBoat entry3mm wetsuit typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

Smithtown Reef at a glance

Smithtown Reef is an intermediate boat dive site in New York, United States with depths of 9.1–12.2 m (30–40 ft). Typically most favorable May–Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Tautog (blackfish), Black sea bass, 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 1h ago

0.0 mwaves — under half a meter expected

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

Site hazards: Long Island Sound current and boat traffic; reduced visibility on tides; fishing tackle on structure.

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Fri

Fri14:00–20:00

Sat7:00–20:00

Sun7:00–20:00

Mon7:00–20:00

Tue7:00–20:00

Wed7:00–19:00

Thu7:00–19:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 6:02 · Sunrise 6:29 · Sunset 19:08

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 9.4 km from site · graded 1h 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: Tautog (blackfish), Black sea bass, Scup (porgy)

Best time: Summer and fall on slack tide.

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.

Jan94%5°C0.6 m
Feb95%4°C0.5 m
Mar91%5°C0.6 m
Apr96%8°C0.5 m
May100%13°C0.4 m
Jun100%18°C0.3 m
Jul100%24°C0.2 m
Aug99%23°C0.3 m
Sep98%22°C0.4 m
Oct96%18°C0.5 m
Nov93%14°C0.6 m
Dec92%8°C0.6 m

May, June, and July havetypically 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

Smithtown Reef is a 31-acre NYSDEC artificial reef in Long Island Sound about 1.6 nautical miles northwest of the Stony Brook Harbor entrance, in 30-40 ft of water. Built from two vessels, six barges, steel pipes and concrete-filled steel cylinders, it offers good relief for tautog, black sea bass and scup. Visibility is typically 10-20 ft and tide-dependent—an intermediate Sound boat dive.

boatreefwreck

Long Island Sound current and boat traffic; reduced visibility on tides; fishing tackle on structure.

Reviews

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