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ExpertBoat entry

USS Oriskany

Florida, United States
AOW suggestedExtreme depth26–65 m (84–212 ft) depthBoat entry3mm wetsuit typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

USS Oriskany at a glance

USS Oriskany is an expert boat dive site in Florida, United States with depths of 25.6–64.6 m (84–212 ft). Typically most favorable Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Red lionfish, Bull shark, and Atlantic spadefish. Recent reports put the water around 27°C (80°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Favorable window now· until 18:00 · sunset 17:06

Forecast for this hour · 12:00 · run 13 h ago
1.2 m (4.1 ft)waves — about a meter expected (waves — about four feet expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 27°C · seasonal avg 27°C ( · Forecast 80°F · seasonal avg 81°F)

Site hazards: Extreme depth

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Mon11:00–18:00 favorable

1.2 m waves · 17 kn wind (3.9 ft waves · 17 kn wind)

Tue6:00–18:00 favorable

0.9 m waves · 12 kn wind (2.9 ft waves · 12 kn wind)

Wed6:00–8:00 favorable, 8:00–10:00 moderate, 10:00–18:00 favorable

1.0 m waves · 17 kn wind (3.3 ft waves · 17 kn wind)

Thu6:00–18:00 favorable

0.8 m waves · 14 kn wind (2.5 ft waves · 14 kn wind)

Fri7:00–18:00 favorable

0.9 m waves · 12 kn wind (2.9 ft waves · 12 kn wind)

Sat7:00–18:00 favorable

1.2 m waves · 14 kn wind (3.8 ft waves · 14 kn wind)

SunNot in the forecast yet

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 5:33 · Sunrise 5:57 · Sunset 17:06 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 3.4 km from site · updated 25 Oct, 23:28 GMT-6

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near USS Oriskany

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: Red lionfish, Atlantic spadefish, Scamp grouper
Best time: May through October for the calmest offshore seas; summer visibility often 60-100 ft.

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, 45% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 20°C (68°F), waves have typically been 1.5 m (4.9 ft), wind has typically been 20 knots
  2. February, 54% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 19°C (65°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (3.8 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  3. March, 65% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 20°C (68°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (4.1 ft), wind has typically been 18 knots
  4. April, 64% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 22°C (71°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (3.9 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  5. May, 90% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 25°C (78°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (2.8 ft), wind has typically been 14 knots
  6. June, 78% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 28°C (83°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (3.1 ft), wind has typically been 14 knots
  7. July, 97% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 30°C (87°F), waves have typically been 0.7 m (2.2 ft), wind has typically been 13 knots, historically most favorable
  8. August, 92% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 31°C (88°F), waves have typically been 0.7 m (2.3 ft), wind has typically been 13 knots
  9. September, 84% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 30°C (85°F), waves have typically been 0.8 m (2.8 ft), wind has typically been 14 knots
  10. October, 59% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (81°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.7 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  11. November, 59% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 24°C (75°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (3.8 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  12. December, 57% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 22°C (72°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (4.1 ft), wind has typically been 18 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.

The underwater calendar

When these animals are most recorded around Gulf of Mexico — from open sighting data, not a promise.

Watch the whole year animate on the Migrations map

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

The USS Oriskany (CV-34), an 888-foot Essex-class aircraft carrier that served in Korea and Vietnam, was scuttled in 2006 about 22.5 nautical miles southeast of Pensacola Pass to become the world's largest artificial reef — the 'Great Carrier Reef' and flagship of the Florida Panhandle Shipwreck Trail. She sits upright in 212-220 feet of water; the island tower tops out near 84 feet, the flight deck lies at about 145 feet and the hangar bay at 175 feet, putting most of the ship in technical-diving territory. Squadrons of amberjack circle the superstructure, which is now heavily colonized by corals, sponges and baitfish.

boatwreck

Extreme depth — the flight deck lies at ~145 ft and the sand at 212+ ft, beyond recreational limits; only the top of the island superstructure (~84 ft) is within sport-diving range; strong currents common; interior penetration prohibited/extremely hazardous; long 22+ NM offshore run with changeable sea conditions; mandatory decompression for deck dives.

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