Barnegat Dive Sites (1/5) ~ New Jersey Scuba Diving

Barnegat Dive Sites (1/5)

Barnegat Chart

1 2 3 4 5

Adriatic

"This picture was taken several years ago by my wife, Debbie. We were searching for the Adriatic's lost clam dredge that day. Later, after the sinking, my group of divers was the first to dive on and identify her. I used this picture at the dive site to set the dive plan and objectives."

- Capt. Duane Clause, Porthole II

Type:: shipwreck, clam dredge, USA
built:: 1977 - Master Marine, Inc., Bayou La Bâtre AL USA
Specs:: ( 74 ft ) 134 gross tons, 4 crew
Sunk:: Monday January 18, 1999
foundered in rough seas - no survivors
Depth:: 65 ft

More: Adriatic ...

Barnegat Bay

More: Barnegat Bay ...

Barnegat Inlet

Type:: major ocean inlet with strong current, surf, and heavy boat traffic
Depth:: 45 ft

More: Barnegat Inlet ...

Barnegat Light Artificial Reef

3.1 Nautical Miles off Barnegat
Depth: 50-60 ft [download]

More: Barnegat Light Artificial Reef ...

Beach Jetties

Dozens of jetties up and down the coast have been cut-though at the base like this one, making them inaccessible to fishermen, but not divers !

More: Beach Jetties ...

Bonanza

Type:: shipwreck, barge
Depth:: 120 ft

This wreck got its name from the first few divers to get there, who struck it rich in lobsters in its wooden ribs and decking. The wreckage is very well spread out in several lines or walls, with decking off to one side. Near the bow, an overturned piece of decking is home to ling and blackfish. Off to the side lie the winch and small bits of machinery.

More: Bonanza ...

Brick barge

Type:: shipwreck, barge
Depth:: 90 ft

More: Brick barge ...

Caddo

Type:: shipwreck, barge
Specs:: 432 tons
Sunk:: Friday August 26, 1921
Depth:: 65 ft

More: Caddo ...

Chaparra

Type:: shipwreck, freighter, Cuba
Name:: a seaport in northeastern Cuba
also Spanish for "cowboy" or slang for "shorty"
Built:: 1906, Scotland, as Tinhow
Specs:: ( 249 x 38 ft ) 1510 gross tons, 29 crew
Sunk:: Sunday October 27, 1918
struck mine laid by U-117 - 6 casualties
Depth:: 80 ft

More: Chaparra ...

Charlemagne Tower

Type:: shipwreck, Great Lakes ore carrier, USA
Built:: 1888, Cleveland OH USA
Specs:: ( 255 x 40 ft ) 1825 gross tons, 19 crew
Sunk:: Friday March 6, 1914
foundered in rough seas - no casualties
Depth:: 75 ft

More: Charlemagne Tower ...

Barnegat Dive Sites

1 2 3 4 5

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.

More: Snorkel ...