USS Oriskany - Florida Keys

Dropping down onto the USS Oriskany, you quickly understand why she’s called "The Great Carrier Reef." This isn't just a wreck, it's a monumental steel city, deliberately sunk and now teeming. We love that you can spend an entire day here and still feel like you’ve only scratched the surface. Our favourite part is the sheer scale of the flight deck, an immense flat expanse at 40 meters, often patrolled by massive schools of amberjack and barracuda. Descending into the hangar bay, it’s a darker, more atmospheric dive, with light shafts piercing through the openings, illuminating dense aggregations of snapper and grouper. Look closely in the nooks and crannies for resident honeycomb morays and even the occasional loggerhead turtle gliding by. The Oriskany is best for experienced divers comfortable with deep profiles and potential currents. We’d suggest going early in the morning, before other boats arrive, to really appreciate the silence and scale. Visibility here can vary, but on a good day, you get incredible views of the entire ship as you descend. It’s an immersive, awe-inspiring dive that truly feels like exploring a submerged world.

Location
Florida Keys, United States, North America
Coordinates
30.043888, -87.006940
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: USS Massachusetts (BB-2) Underwater Archaeological Preserve

Best Time to Dive in Florida Keys

The warmest water temperatures in Florida Keys occur in July, averaging 31.5°C (up to 34.8°C). The coolest conditions are in January at 19.3°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 19.3°C (air: 18.5°C)
  • February: 20.5°C (air: 21.6°C)
  • March: 23.1°C (air: 22.4°C)
  • April: 25.5°C (air: 24.3°C)
  • May: 27.8°C (air: 25.9°C)
  • June: 30.2°C (air: 27.5°C)
  • July: 31.5°C (air: 28.3°C)
  • August: 31.5°C (air: 28.3°C)
  • September: 30.2°C (air: 27.3°C)
  • October: 27.3°C (air: 26.0°C)
  • November: 24.1°C (air: 22.3°C)
  • December: 20.9°C (air: 19.8°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Florida Keys

Nearest Dive Centres to USS Oriskany

Marine Life in Florida Keys

Home to 91 recorded species including 69 reef fish, 6 sharks & rays, 3 other, 3 hard corals, 2 sea snails & nudibranchs, 2 sea urchins.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for USS Oriskany

Based on average water temperature of 26.0°C, currents 1 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 26°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories