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Divers explore a sunken shipwreck off the coast of Madeira, Portugal.
📷 Ruben Galante · Pexels

USS Massachusetts

3.9 — based on 19 community signals
4.2 12 species 26 contributors

USS Massachusetts is a wreck dive on an Indiana-class battleship sunk in 1893, accessible year-round off the United States coast.

⭐ Best for advanced divers.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Advanced
WreckAdvancedOnly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
advanced
Marine life
Bottlenose dolphin

Top operators here

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Map

This spot Operators Airport Nearby spots
USS Massachusetts location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
7 kn
Wave
0.52 m
Water
30.2°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: NE (12%)
Now: SE (144°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.48m

Next: High at 01:00 (+0.2m)

+0.2 m0 m-0.3 m
▲ 01:00 · +0.2m ▼ 14:00 · -0.26m ▲ 03:00 · +0.17m ▼ 15:00 · -0.24m Now +0.2m
Fri 18Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24
UV7.45 · high Air PM2.57 · good 06:35 18:50
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-18 11.6 0.72 7 0mm
09-19 12.2 0.4 7 0mm
09-20 11.7 0.24 7 4mm
09-21 8.6 0.14 7 0mm
09-22 6.1 0.12 7 2mm
09-23 4.7 0.1 7 0mm
09-24 8 0.2 7 0mm

About this spot

The USS Massachusetts rests as one of America's early steel battleships, offering wreck divers a chance to explore a significant piece of naval history. Built in 1893 as part of the Indiana-class, the vessel represents the transition to modern warship design. The wreck sits outside any marine protected area, making it accessible to recreational divers year-round. This site attracts wreck enthusiasts looking to experience the scale and structure of a historic capital ship. The shallow sections allow different skill levels to participate, though wreck diving itself requires proper training and experience. The site shows no signs of coral bleaching stress, supporting healthy marine growth on the wreck structure. Community footage from three documented dives provides reference material for planning a visit. Twelve species observations logged at the site help divers anticipate the marine life they'll encounter. The wreck's historical significance—a battleship from the dawn of the steel navy era—makes every dive educational. Local conditions remain consistent across seasons, eliminating the need to time a trip to specific months. Wreck diving here combines naval history with solid bottom time opportunities.

📖 Guide: Diving in the United States: 87 Sites From Springs to Open Ocean

Marine life

Bottlenose dolphin

Dive types

Wreck

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type A/B · 120V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 47%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 7217km · ~1660kg · €30

FAQ

When is the best time to dive USS Massachusetts?

The site is accessible year-round, so you can plan a trip based on your schedule rather than seasonal windows. Water conditions remain consistent throughout the year in this location.

What should I know about depth and difficulty at this wreck?

Wreck diving on USS Massachusetts requires proper wreck training and experience. Depth data for this site isn't publicly specified, so contact local dive operators for exact conditions before planning your dive.

What marine life will I see on the wreck?

Twelve species observations have been logged at USS Massachusetts. The wreck shows no coral bleaching stress, meaning the structure supports healthy marine growth. Check community videos to preview the life you'll encounter.

Do I need permits or special access to dive this wreck?

USS Massachusetts lies outside any marine protected area, so standard recreational diving access applies. Confirm any local requirements with dive operators in the region before your trip.

Operators near this spot

Dive centres, kite & surf schools within 10 km, sourced from OpenStreetMap.

Fort Pickens Jetties

4.3 km
Dive centre

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

69 records · 30 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Luidia alternata

Asteroidea · Luidiidae
GBIF
Last seen:
23 Jan 2026
×1records

Rhopilema verrilli

Scyphozoa · Rhizostomatidae
GBIF
Last seen:
21 Jan 2026
×4records

Sinistrofulgur sinistrum

Gastropoda · Busyconidae
GBIF
Last seen:
19 Jan 2026
×1records

Cancellaria reticulata

Gastropoda · Cancellariidae
GBIF
Last seen:
19 Jan 2026
×1records

Turbo castanea

Gastropoda · Turbinidae
GBIF
Last seen:
12 Jan 2026
×1records

Megapitaria maculata

Bivalvia · Veneridae
GBIF
Last seen:
12 Jan 2026
×1records

Physalia physalis

Hydrozoa · Physaliidae
GBIF
Last seen:
9 Jan 2026
×1records

Aplysia brasiliana

Gastropoda · Aplysiidae
GBIF
Last seen:
2 Jan 2026
×1records

Rhinoptera bonasus

Elasmobranchii · Myliobatidae
GBIF
Last seen:
1 Jan 2026
×1records

Donax variabilis

Bivalvia · Donacidae
GBIF
Last seen:
1 Jan 2026
×1records

Luidia clathrata

Asteroidea · Luidiidae
OBIS
Last seen:
7 Nov 2009
×1records

Penaeus (Litopenaeus) setiferus

White shrimp
Malacostraca · Penaeidae
OBIS
Last seen:
30 Aug 2007
×2records

Data: 187,991 observations from OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

America’s Most Dangerous Battleship — The Shocking Story of USS Massachusetts

WW2 Insights

Diving the USS Massachusetts - accidentally sunk by the US Military in Pensacola, FL

Pursuit of Leisure
💬 3 top comments
  • This is where those kids were killed by some sort of sea monster

    @lukeedison9393 · 👍 0
  • Was not accidentally sunk. Target practice. Navy tried to sell it for scrap in situ, no buyer.

    @vernedavis · 👍 2
  • I dove this on a very rough day lol and left my anchor in the stack!

    @SteveWB · 👍 1

USS Massachusetts, Pensacola Florida

Lost World Excavations
💬 3 top comments
  • Great video! Big fish!

    @sabrina7301 · 👍 3
  • Wow…my favorite sound! Good video. Look forward to diving there.

    @donnab.4405 · 👍 0
  • Cool wreck!

    @jaskdavis · 👍 2
wind peaks Jan-Nov-Mar, calmest Sep-Aug-Jul, dry Jan-Dec.

5-year monthly climate

60 samples
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
p25–p75 range Median Wind (kn) Air (°C)
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Feb (100/100) Worst: May (0/100) Now: Sep (0/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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