USS San Diego

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Fire Island National Seashore

Why dive here

With 35+ marine species recorded in the area - including nurse sharks - USS San Diego offers some of New England's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 4-19°C, warmest July, August, September.

Best timeJul–Sep

WetsuitA 5mm wetsuit

Marine lifeNurse Sharks · 35+ species recorded

Water4-19°C · warmest July, August, September

CharacterWreck dive

The USS San Diego is a proper war grave, a powerful dive. It’s a big chunk of history, sunk by a mine in 1944 off Long Island. We’ve always found it impressive how intact she is, lying on her port side in about 33 meters. When you drop down, the sheer scale hits you – the hull stretches out, silhouetted against the greener light of the North Atlantic. Visibility is often the biggest variable, but on a good day, you can make out the anti-aircraft guns, still pointing skyward, and the bridge structure. Our favourite part is swimming along the decks, imagining the chaos. Now, it’s all peace and quiet, a home for massive schools of pollock that swirl around the superstructure, and ling cod tucked into every crevice. We’ve even spotted big tautog patrolling the deeper sections. This isn’t a colourful coral dive; it's a moody, atmospheric exploration for divers who appreciate history and don’t mind a bit of a chill. Definitely bring a good light; it makes a huge difference to pick out the details in the dim light.