Barnegat Light Artificial Reef

Barnegat Light Artificial Reef

3.1 Nautical Miles off Barnegat, 1.08 sq miles
Depth: 50-60 ft [download]

Barnegat Light reef is scattered throughout with Army tanks, and tire units, and also Reef Balls ( not shown. ) Minimum clearance at mean low water is 40 feet. This reef was also the site of a major scientific study on artificial reefs:



rock reef
A hopper barge full of rock

All manner of concrete, steel, and stone rubble from dredging, demolition projects, and other construction is used as artificial reef materials. This material is generally available at very low cost or free from construction companies who are more than happy to get rid of it. Transportation costs determine where this material is used by the Reef Program.





#9 reef
Type:
artificial reef, tow boat, originally USCG patrol boat
Specs:
( 40 x 12 ft )
Sponsor:
Artificial Reef Association, Jim Lees
Sunk:
Wednesday July 31, 1995 - Barnegat Light Artificial Reef
GPS:
39°45.127' -74°01.297'

no snorkel

Here is an item that is useful in the tropics, but much less so around here. This is because the water here is not nearly as crystal clear as in the tropics, and the depths are often greater. Therefore it is unlikely you will be able to see anything interesting below from the surface.

On a boat dive, a snorkel is totally useless - leave it home. Chances are, the captain and crew will tell you to take it off anyway. The same is generally true for inlet diving where the entry is steep. A snorkel is just one extra thing to get tangled up, and you will probably have enough of that already. A snorkel might be useful in a surface swim from the beach out to a close-in dive site, if it is a good one with purge valve or a dry valve to keep the water out entirely. Even then, you are better off doing a backstroke out to the site, with your head out of the water so you can navigate by landmarks, or an underwater swim if the currents are favorable.