New Jersey Scuba Diving

Delaware Artificial Reefs

Delaware Artificial Reefs (and a few New Jersey reefs)

  1. USS Blenny
  2. Buchannon barge
  3. Cape Henlopen Buoy
  4. Golden Eagle
  5. P3/Dolphin
  6. pilot boat

Coverage of Delaware is restricted to just those sites that are in the ocean and vessels in the bay. Siting reefs has been tricky for Delaware, as they must be kept clear of the shipping lanes. This doesn't leave a lot of places that are both located in usefully deep water and a convenient distance from shore. Cape May Reef belongs to New Jersey, but is within range of Delaware, and lately seems to have received material from Delaware. I have also included the USS Blenny, to the south - drag the chart.

Delaware Artificial Reef Charts

The 5 Delaware reefs shown here total approximately 7.2 square miles.

Twin Capes
Shearwater
Shearwater
USS Radford
USS Radford
Gregory Poole
YO-93
USCG Tamaroa
two tugboats
two tugboats
Frieda Marie
American Glory
American Glory

Delaware Artificial Reef Sites

Delaware has eight permitted reefs in the Delaware Bay, and another way offshore that is undeveloped and will likely stay that way.

Site #8 has a 70' tugboat "Golden Eagle". Site #6 has a 120' barge. Site #1 has a 40' pilot boat. Other than that, the Delaware Bay reefs are all concrete rubble.

Delaware #10 Artificial Reef

Delaware #10 Artificial Reef

  1. Mr G
  2. New Orleans
  3. Rusty Pusher
  4. Southern Sword
  5. YC-725
  6. YON-80

5.5 Nautical Miles from Indian River Inlet, 1.31 sq miles
Depth: 55-65 ft

More: Delaware #10 Artificial Reef ...

Delaware #11 Artificial Reef

Delaware #11 Artificial Reef

  1. American Glory
  2. Bay Tide
  3. Cittie Point
  4. Crazy Horse
  5. Delilah
  6. Fells Point
  7. Frieda Marie
  8. Mayor J Harold Grady
  9. Margaret
  10. Margie Ann
  11. Reedville
  12. Sandy Point
  13. TD-21
  14. Texas Star
  15. William C Snow
  16. YC-1479
  17. YOG-93

15.5 Nautical Miles from Indian River Inlet, 1.52 sq miles
Depth: 70-90 ft

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DelJerseyLand Artificial Reefs

DelJerseyLand Inshore Artificial Reef

  1. Atlantic Mist
  2. Beth Drydock No. 5 (763)
  3. Beth Drydock No. 5 (764)
  4. Beth Drydock No. 5 (765)
  5. Calcasieu Pass
  6. Gregory Poole
  7. Hvoslef
  8. John S Dempster
  9. USS Moonstone
  10. USS Radford (main)
  11. USS Radford (bow)
  12. Shearwater
  13. Tamaroa
  14. Twin Capes

26 Nautical Miles from Indian River Inlet, 1.51 sq miles
Depth: 120-140 ft [download]

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Army Tanks

M60 tanks reef
M60 tanks undergo a thorough cleaning before use as reefs

The Artificial Reef Program used four types of obsolete Army armored vehicles as artificial reef materials off the New Jersey coast. These were cleaned at local military bases, loaded onto barges for transport, and pushed off at their final destination. Once the Army had disposed of its excess inventory, the program ceased, around 1999. The Artificial Reef Program has sunk almost 400 tanks altogether, far too many to list them here in this website.

More: Army Tanks ...

Charts, Dive Sites,

Goody Bags

goody bag

Goody bags come in several lengths and sizes, but three feet ( yellow mesh ) is by far the handiest and most popular size. Bigger bags are too much of an encumbrance, and if filled to capacity, say with mussels, become too heavy to safely carry underwater.

Goody bags come in a variety of materials. Open nylon mesh is the most common and drains instantly when you exit the water. It is also the best for dragging mussels behind the boat. Canvas is good for spearfishing, as it keeps the fish slime off you, yet still drains reasonably well. It can also have a calming effect on your prey, resulting in less thrashing about. Of course, with a canvas bag, it is more difficult to admire your catch during your hang at the end of the dive. Nylon cloth is used for small tool bags. It is the strongest of all, but drains very poorly. A large nylon bag full of water is a very heavy load to drag up a dive boat ladder.

More: Goody Bags ...

Disclaimer:

I make no claim as to the accuracy, validity, or appropriateness of any information found in this website. I will not be responsible for the consequences of any action that is based upon information found here. Scuba diving is an adventure sport, and as always, you alone are responsible for your own safety and well being.

Copyright © 1996-2026 Rich Galiano
unless otherwise noted

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