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Map of U-869 (wreck)
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ExpertBoat entry

U-869 (wreck)

New Jersey, United States
60–73 m (197–240 ft) depthBoat entry5mm wetsuit typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

U-869 (wreck) at a glance

U-869 (wreck) is an expert boat dive site in New Jersey, United States with depths of 60–73 m (197–239 ft). Typically most favorable Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Conger eel, Anemones and hydroids (wreck encrusting), and Cusk. Recent reports put the water around 18°C (64°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

No window today· next: tomorrow 7:00–17:00 · moderate

Forecast for this hour · 18:00 · run 18 h ago
1.4 m (4.5 ft)waves — about a meter and a half expected (waves — about five feet expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 18°C · seasonal avg 18°C ( · Forecast 64°F · seasonal avg 64°F)

Site hazards: Extreme depth (~230-240 ft) requiring trimix and staged decompression; entanglement in monofilament and trawl net draped on the wreck; overhead environment with silt-out and tight restrictions inside the torn hull; strong and unpredictable Atlantic current; cold bottom water year-round; remote location ~60 nm offshore complicates emergencies. Three divers (Steve Feldman, Chris and Chrissy Rouse) died on this wreck.

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Smallest waves: Thu
SunNo window

1.5 m waves · 6 kn wind (4.9 ft waves · 6 kn wind)

Mon7:00–17:00 moderate

1.2 m waves · 12 kn wind (3.8 ft waves · 12 kn wind)

Tue7:00–17:00 moderate

1.3 m waves · 15 kn wind (4.3 ft waves · 15 kn wind)

Wed7:00–17:00 moderate

0.9 m waves · 9 kn wind (2.9 ft waves · 9 kn wind)

Thu7:00–17:00 favorable

0.6 m waves · 7 kn wind (2.0 ft waves · 7 kn wind)

Fri7:00–13:00 moderate, 13:00–17:00 favorable

0.7 m waves · 13 kn wind (2.3 ft waves · 13 kn wind)

Sat7:00–17:00 moderate

0.9 m waves · 14 kn wind (2.9 ft waves · 14 kn wind)

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 5:45 · Sunrise 6:13 · Sunset 16:59 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 6.8 km from site · updated 25 Oct, 00:27 GMT-5

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near U-869 (wreck)

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: Conger eel, Anemones and hydroids (wreck encrusting), American lobster
Best time: Summer through early fall, when offshore sea conditions and visibility are most favorable for the long run offshore.

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, 15% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 10°C (49°F), waves have typically been 2.2 m (7.3 ft), wind has typically been 24 knots
  2. February, 13% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 8°C (47°F), waves have typically been 2.2 m (7.1 ft), wind has typically been 23 knots
  3. March, 10% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 7°C (45°F), waves have typically been 2.3 m (7.4 ft), wind has typically been 23 knots
  4. April, 37% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 8°C (47°F), waves have typically been 1.8 m (5.9 ft), wind has typically been 20 knots
  5. May, 52% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 13°C (55°F), waves have typically been 1.5 m (5.0 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  6. June, 61% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 18°C (65°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.4 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  7. July, 65% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 24°C (75°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (4.0 ft), wind has typically been 16 knots, historically most favorable
  8. August, 52% 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 17 knots
  9. September, 39% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 21°C (70°F), waves have typically been 1.9 m (6.2 ft), wind has typically been 18 knots
  10. October, 31% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 18°C (64°F), waves have typically been 2.0 m (6.5 ft), wind has typically been 19 knots
  11. November, 26% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 15°C (59°F), waves have typically been 1.9 m (6.2 ft), wind has typically been 23 knots
  12. December, 23% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 12°C (53°F), waves have typically been 2.2 m (7.1 ft), wind has typically been 23 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 June 2026

Site details

U-869 is a WWII German Type IXC/40 U-boat lying in about 230-240 ft of water roughly 60 miles east of Point Pleasant, New Jersey. Discovered in 1991 by a team led by Bill Nagle and John Chatterton and finally identified in 1997, the mystery wreck ('U-Who') was made famous by the book Shadow Divers; three divers died exploring it before identification. It remains one of the US East Coast's premier expedition-level technical wreck dives - trimix decompression diving for experienced teams only.

boatwreck

Extreme depth (~230-240 ft) requiring trimix and staged decompression; entanglement in monofilament and trawl net draped on the wreck; overhead environment with silt-out and tight restrictions inside the torn hull; strong and unpredictable Atlantic current; cold bottom water year-round; remote location ~60 nm offshore complicates emergencies. Three divers (Steve Feldman, Chris and Chrissy Rouse) died on this wreck.

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