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Map of U-853 (wreck)
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ExpertBoat entry

U-853 (wreck)

Rhode Island, United States
Advanced suggested31–40 m depthBoat entry5mm wetsuit typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

U-853 (wreck) at a glance

U-853 (wreck) is a expert boat dive site in Rhode Island, United States with depths of 30.5–39.6 m (100–130 ft). Typically most favorable Jun · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see cunner, frilled anemone, and American lobster. Recent reports put the water around 21°C (70°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Marine model · graded 4h ago
1.0 mwaves — about a meter expected

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

Site hazards: Depth (130 ft), cold dark water, sharp jagged metal and debris, confined spaces inside the hull, currents, monofilament and nets

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Mon
Sun6:00–21:00
Mon6:00–21:00
Tue6:00–21:00
Wed15:00–16:00
Thu17:00–21:00
Fri6:00–21:00
Sat6:00–21:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 5:04 · Sunrise 5:35 · Sunset 20:08

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 6.3 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: cunner, frilled anemone, American lobster
Best time: Calm summer days at 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.

  1. Jan22%7°C1.9 m
  2. Feb22%5°C1.9 m
  3. Mar18%5°C1.9 m
  4. Apr42%8°C1.7 m
  5. May59%12°C1.3 m
  6. Jun72%16°C1.2 m
  7. Jul70%22°C1.1 m
  8. Aug63%22°C1.3 m
  9. Sep51%20°C1.5 m
  10. Oct45%17°C1.6 m
  11. Nov28%14°C1.7 m
  12. Dec28%10°C2.0 m

June 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

  • cunnerCommonly seen
  • frilled anemoneCommonly seen
  • American lobsterCommonly seen
  • Atlantic codOccasionally seen
  • ocean poutOccasionally seen
  • monkfishRarely seen

Fills & rentals nearby

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

Site details

A German Type IXC/40 U-boat sunk by US Navy and Coast Guard depth charges on May 6, 1945 - one day before Germany's surrender - after it torpedoed the collier Black Point off Point Judith. The submarine lies in about 130 feet of water roughly 7 miles east of Block Island and is one of southern New England's most famous boat dives, with the conning tower, periscope and depth-charge blast holes visible. It is a war grave: penetration is hazardous and removing artifacts is illegal.

boatwreck

Depth (130 ft), cold dark water, sharp jagged metal and debris, confined spaces inside the hull, currents, monofilament and nets

Reviews

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