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Map of USS Algol (AKA-54)
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ExpertBoat entry

USS Algol (AKA-54)

New Jersey, United States
21–44 m (70–145 ft) depthBoat entry7mm or semi-dry + hood typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

USS Algol (AKA-54) at a glance

USS Algol (AKA-54) is an expert boat dive site in New Jersey, United States with depths of 21.3–44.2 m (70–145 ft). Typically most favorable Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Lobster, Black sea bass, and anemones and hydroids. Recent reports put the water around 17°C (62°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Next window today· 7:00–17:00 · favorable & moderate · sunset 16:58

Forecast for this hour · 1:00 · run under 1 h ago
0.8 m (2.6 ft)waves — under a meter expected (waves — about three feet expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 17°C · seasonal avg 18°C ( · Forecast 62°F · seasonal avg 65°F)

Site hazards: Technical depth, decompression/gas-management exposure, strong current potential, cold/dark water, boat traffic, entanglement, large-wreck navigation, sharp metal, and serious penetration/overhead hazards. Sand depth may exceed 145 ft in scour areas.

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Tue7:00–8:00 moderate, 8:00–10:00 favorable, 10:00–13:00 moderate, 13:00–17:00 favorable

1.0 m waves · 15 kn wind (3.3 ft waves · 15 kn wind)

Wed7:00–17:00 favorable

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

Thu7:00–17:00 favorable

0.6 m waves · 9 kn wind (1.9 ft waves · 9 kn wind)

Fri7:00–9:00 moderate, 9:00–17:00 favorable

0.6 m waves · 10 kn wind (1.9 ft waves · 10 kn wind)

Sat7:00–17:00 favorable

0.6 m waves · 8 kn wind (2.0 ft waves · 8 kn wind)

Sun7:00–17:00 favorable

0.6 m waves · 7 kn wind (1.9 ft waves · 7 kn wind)

Mon7:00–11:00 moderate, 14:00–17:00 moderate

0.7 m waves · 20 kn wind (2.4 ft waves · 20 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 5:50 · Sunrise 6:18 · Sunset 16:58 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 2.3 km from site · updated 27 Oct, 00:22 GMT-5

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near USS Algol (AKA-54)

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: Black sea bass, anemones and hydroids, Tautog
Best time: Only in reliable offshore weather and current windows; use an operator experienced with Algol/Shark River deep wreck procedures.

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, 27% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 8°C (47°F), waves have typically been 1.8 m (5.7 ft), wind has typically been 23 knots
  2. February, 25% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 7°C (44°F), waves have typically been 1.7 m (5.7 ft), wind has typically been 22 knots
  3. March, 18% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 6°C (44°F), waves have typically been 1.9 m (6.1 ft), wind has typically been 22 knots
  4. April, 39% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 8°C (47°F), waves have typically been 1.6 m (5.2 ft), wind has typically been 20 knots
  5. May, 62% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 13°C (55°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.4 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  6. June, 69% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 18°C (65°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (3.9 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  7. July, 74% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 23°C (74°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.6 ft), wind has typically been 16 knots, historically most favorable
  8. August, 60% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 23°C (73°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.4 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  9. September, 42% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 21°C (71°F), waves have typically been 1.6 m (5.4 ft), wind has typically been 18 knots
  10. October, 45% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 18°C (65°F), waves have typically been 1.7 m (5.5 ft), wind has typically been 19 knots
  11. November, 33% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 15°C (59°F), waves have typically been 1.5 m (5.0 ft), wind has typically been 22 knots
  12. December, 29% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 11°C (51°F), waves have typically been 1.7 m (5.7 ft), wind has typically been 22 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

USS Algol is a 459 ft Andromeda-class attack cargo ship sunk as a New Jersey artificial reef. NJScuba describes an intact upright wreck with the superstructure beginning around 70 ft, main deck around 110 ft, and sand near 145 ft / 44 m or deeper. It is a major deep wreck/technical site, not a beginner artificial reef.

boatreefwreck

Technical depth, decompression/gas-management exposure, strong current potential, cold/dark water, boat traffic, entanglement, large-wreck navigation, sharp metal, and serious penetration/overhead hazards. Sand depth may exceed 145 ft in scour areas.

Reviews

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