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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 depthBoat entry3mm wetsuit typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

USS Algol (AKA-54) at a glance

USS Algol (AKA-54) is a 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 anemones and hydroids, black sea bass, and lobster. 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
1.0 mwaves — about a meter expected

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

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

Best: Sun
Sun5:00–20:00
Mon5:00–20:00
Tue5:00–20:00
Wed5:00–19:00
Thu5:00–20:00
Fri5:00–20:00
Sat5:00–20:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 4:16 · Sunrise 4:47 · Sunset 19:14

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 2.3 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: anemones and hydroids, black sea bass, 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. Jan27%8°C1.8 m
  2. Feb25%7°C1.7 m
  3. Mar18%6°C1.9 m
  4. Apr39%8°C1.6 m
  5. May62%13°C1.3 m
  6. Jun69%18°C1.2 m
  7. Jul74%23°C1.1 m
  8. Aug60%23°C1.3 m
  9. Sep42%21°C1.6 m
  10. Oct45%18°C1.7 m
  11. Nov33%15°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

  • anemones and hydroidsCommonly seen
  • black sea bassCommonly seen
  • lobsterOccasionally seen
  • tautogCommonly seen

Fills & rentals nearby

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

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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