27 May 2024

Scuba Diving in New Jersey: Finding the Best Dive Locations

You’re an avid scuba diver eager to explore the best dive locations New Jersey has to offer. With a coastline stretching over 130 miles, New Jersey is home to a diverse range of dive sites, from historic shipwrecks and vibrant artificial reefs to stunning natural formations.

Each site offers a unique glimpse into the underwater world, making New Jersey a prime destination for both novice and experienced divers.

But where do you go first? We can help. Read on to find out how to find the best deep-dive locations when you’re scuba diving in New Jersey.

Manasquan Inlet

Manasquan Inlet stands out as a premier sport for New Jersey coast dives, offering easy accessibility and a rich array of marine life. Situated between the towns of Manasquan and Point Pleasant Beach, this inlet is a favorite among local divers for its vibrant underwater scenery and relatively calm conditions. This also makes it helpful for newer divers.

The inlet’s rocky bottom, interspersed with sandy patches and scattered debris, creates an ideal habitat for various fish species, crabs, and the occasional lobster. Divers can often encounter schools of striped bass, fluke, and tautog, making each dive an exciting and diverse experience.

Delaware River Wrecks

The Delaware River, often overshadowed by coastal NJ dive locations, is home to a fascinating collection of wrecks that offer a unique underwater experience for scuba divers.

These wrecks, remnants of both historic and more recent maritime activity, provide intriguing dive opportunities for those willing to explore beneath the river’s surface.

Among the most notable wrecks is the R.P. Resor, an oil tanker torpedoed during World War II. This wreck, resting at significant depths, offers a challenging yet rewarding dive for experienced divers, with its towering structure now encrusted with marine life.

Point Pleasant Beach

Diving at Point Pleasant Beach offers something for divers of all skill levels. The shore entry points and relatively shallow depths at some sites make it ideal for beginners, who can enjoy the ease of access and the opportunity to gradually build their skills.

For more experienced divers, the area offers deeper dives and more complex underwater environments to explore.

The Railroad Bridge site, for instance, presents an intricate maze of underwater architecture that rewards divers with captivating sights and encounters.

Sandy Hook

This location is part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, providing divers with a unique backdrop of maritime history and stunning underwater landscapes.

Sandy Hook’s waters are home to several intriguing dive sites, including old shipwreck dives and artificial reefs, making it a compelling destination for underwater exploration. It’s a great choice if you feel like diving for treasure.

Diving conditions at Sandy Hook can vary with the seasons, but the best visibility is often found during the late spring and summer months. Divers should always check the local conditions and weather forecasts before planning their dives.