Andrea Doria
Why dive here
With 35+ marine species recorded in the area - including nurse sharks - Andrea Doria offers some of New England's richest wreck diving.
The Andrea Doria isn't just a dive site; it’s a legend. We love the sheer challenge of this deep wreck, lying roughly 240 feet down in the cold, often dark waters off Nantucket. It’s for experienced technical divers, no question, the kind who crave a real expedition every time they hit the water. Dropping down, the visibility can be fickle, shifting from a glorious 60 feet to a silty 10 in a single dive, but when it opens up, the sheer scale of the Doria is overwhelming. What strikes you first is the feeling of time standing still. Plates are still stacked in the galley, bathtubs remain in cabins, and the iconic bow is still perfectly recognisable, despite the years of battering. Our favourite part is navigating the interior, especially finding the promenade deck where you can still feel the grandeur. Schools of pollock and cod patrol the decks, and we’ve seen some seriously chunky wolffish peering out of portholes. It’s a dive that demands respect, meticulous planning, and a genuine love for exploration, but the rewards are immense. Just remember to account for the strong currents and unpredictable conditions; this isn't a dive to take lightly.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Andrea Doria Wreck History
Year Sunk
1956
Vessel Type
passenger ship
Cause
collision
Tonnage
29,100 GRT
Often called the "Mount Everest of Wreck Diving," the SS Andrea Doria is one of the most famous and challenging wrecks in the world. Launched in 1951, she was the pride of the Italian Line-a luxurious and technologically advanced ocean liner that embodied Italy's post-war recovery. Her career was tragically cut short on the night of July 25, 1956. While sailing through thick fog off the coast of Nantucket, she was struck by the eastbound MS Stockholm. The collision tore a massive hole in her starboard side, and despite her advanced safety features, the grand liner listed severely and sank 11 hours later.
The sinking of the Andrea Doria was a major maritime disaster, but the rescue effort was a remarkable success, saving 1,660 of the 1,706 people on board. Today, the wreck lies on her starboard side at a depth of 73 meters (240 feet). Her immense size, the strong currents, and the cold, deep water make this a formidable technical dive reserved for only the most experienced and prepared divers. Those who brave the descent are rewarded with the sight of a decaying palace of the sea, a hauntingly beautiful and somber monument to a bygone era of transatlantic travel.
Reviews for Andrea Doria
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Andrea Doria
Andrea Doria Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Andrea Doria, sourced from NOAA buoy data - nearest station: Open-Meteo grid (43.65, -73.46) (0km away)
August Averages
Air Temperature
19.59°C
67°F
Wind Speed
3.56 m/s
6.9 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1015 hPa
Based on 5 years of monitoring data · Data sources: NOAA NDBC
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