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IntermediateBoat entry

USS Massachusetts

Florida, United States
Open Water suggestedVery strong tidal currents rip through the wreckage except at slack tide; sharp steel and partially exposed structure in the surf/surge zone; boat traffic at the mouth of Pensacola Pass; protected archaeological preserve0–9 m (0–30 ft) depthBoat entry3mm wetsuit typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

USS Massachusetts at a glance

USS Massachusetts is an intermediate boat dive site in Florida, United States with depths of 0–9.1 m (0–30 ft). Typically most favorable Jul–Aug · from 2 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Sheepshead, Atlantic spadefish, and Southern stingray. Recent reports put the water around 24°C (76°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

No window today· next: tomorrow 7:00–19:00 · favorable & moderate

Forecast for this hour · 23:00 · run 22 h ago
0.7 m (2.3 ft)waves — under a meter expected (waves — about two feet expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point

Site hazards: Very strong tidal currents rip through the wreckage except at slack tide; sharp steel and partially exposed structure in the surf/surge zone; boat traffic at the mouth of Pensacola Pass; protected archaeological preserve

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Lightest wind: Tue
SunNo window

0.8 m waves · 17 kn wind (2.7 ft waves · 17 kn wind)

Mon7:00–8:00 moderate, 8:00–11:00 favorable, 11:00–12:00 moderate, 12:00–19:00 favorable

0.8 m waves · 13 kn wind (2.6 ft waves · 13 kn wind)

Tue7:00–19:00 favorable

0.7 m waves · 6 kn wind (2.2 ft waves · 6 kn wind)

Wed8:00–19:00 favorable

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

Thu8:00–10:00 moderate, 10:00–19:00 favorable

0.7 m waves · 8 kn wind (2.2 ft waves · 8 kn wind)

Fri8:00–19:00 favorable

0.8 m waves · 8 kn wind (2.6 ft waves · 8 kn wind)

Sat8:00–19:00 favorable

1.1 m waves · 8 kn wind (3.4 ft waves · 8 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 6:33 · Sunrise 6:58 · Sunset 18:08 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 2.0 km from site · updated 25 Oct, 00:21 GMT-5

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near USS Massachusetts

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: Sheepshead, Atlantic spadefish, Flounder
Best time: Slack high tide on calm summer days; visibility is best with light winds and an incoming Gulf 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. January, 90% of days have historically been favorable, waves have typically been 0.9 m (2.8 ft), wind has typically been 9 knots
  2. February, 96% of days have historically been favorable, waves have typically been 0.7 m (2.4 ft), wind has typically been 9 knots
  3. March, 87% of days have historically been favorable, waves have typically been 0.9 m (3.1 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots
  4. April, 85% of days have historically been favorable, waves have typically been 0.9 m (3.0 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots
  5. May, 97% of days have historically been favorable, waves have typically been 0.8 m (2.7 ft), wind has typically been 8 knots
  6. June, 95% of days have historically been favorable, waves have typically been 0.7 m (2.4 ft), wind has typically been 8 knots
  7. July, 100% of days have historically been favorable, waves have typically been 0.5 m (1.6 ft), wind has typically been 7 knots, historically most favorable
  8. August, 100% of days have historically been favorable, waves have typically been 0.5 m (1.6 ft), wind has typically been 7 knots, historically most favorable
  9. September, 95% of days have historically been favorable, waves have typically been 0.7 m (2.2 ft), wind has typically been 7 knots
  10. October, 97% of days have historically been favorable, waves have typically been 0.8 m (2.7 ft), wind has typically been 8 knots
  11. November, 88% of days have historically been favorable, waves have typically been 0.9 m (2.8 ft), wind has typically been 8 knots
  12. December, 97% of days have historically been favorable, waves have typically been 0.8 m (2.6 ft), wind has typically been 9 knots

July and August have typically had the largest share of favorable days here. Conditions vary year to year — this is historical context, not a forecast.

Based on 1 year 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

Facts from OpenStreetMap, corrected by the community — listed by distance only. Details change; confirm with the shop.

Shop facts come from OpenStreetMap and community corrections, shown nearest first. PickADive lists facts and contacts only — no listing is sponsored or ranked.

Data updated June 2026

Site details

USS Massachusetts (BB-2), launched in 1893 and considered the oldest American battleship still in existence, was used as an artillery target off Pensacola in 1920-21 and settled in about 26 feet of water at the mouth of Pensacola Pass. The 350-foot hulk is now a Florida Underwater Archaeological Preserve and listed site, with her turrets visible above the surface at low tide. The shallow, sunlit wreckage swarms with marine life, but ripping tidal currents make slack-tide timing mandatory.

boatwreck

Very strong tidal currents rip through the wreckage except at slack tide; sharp steel and partially exposed structure in the surf/surge zone; boat traffic at the mouth of Pensacola Pass; protected archaeological preserve — no artifact removal.

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