Best Places to Scuba Dive in the United States

U.S. Scuba Diving Sites That Are Worth Exploring.

There are 244 dive sites listed across North America, according to PADI. Wrecks, coral reefs, shores, and lakes provide ideal grounds for exploring an underwater world — and yachting is an excellent way to facilitate dives in isolated areas.

After learning about which explorer yachts can take you to remote destinations, we know that a yacht such as TIME OFF (182′ Damen Support Vessel) is capable of taking you polar diving in the Arctic or Antarctic regions. Or that a boat such as K-584 (120’ CPN) is already fitted with an onboard dive center so that you can dive wherever you are in the world.  

Planning your next scuba dive trip from your yacht? Consider one of these top 10 dive sites in the United States.

1. Wall of Life | Inian Islands, Alaska

The Inian Islands is known as the place where wildlife gathers, both above and below the surface of the water. This remote yachting destination is located at the northern edge of the Inside Passage, a wild destination for spotting sea lions, orcas, humpback whales, and puffins. The Wall Of Life is a cold water dive that is – for lack of a better word – full of life. 

Deep underwater, you’ll see pink, yellow, and purple coral with the possibility to see sea lions, octopuses, and wolf eels. Cruising in this part of the world is ideal for a boat like TIME OFF, a 182’ Damen support vessel as the 50-square meter aft deck can hold a seaplane, tender, helicopter, submarine, and jet skis.

2. HMCS Yukon | San Diego, California

San Diego’s Wreck Alley is a playground of artificial reefs for experienced scuba divers to discover. The HMCS Yukon, in particular, is one of the best wreck sites in North America after being purpose sunk two miles off the coast of Mission Bay, California.

The 366-foot Canadian destroyer escort boasts an intact superstructure that creates a brightly lit maze of tunnels and passageways. Access holes are cut into the hull so divers are never more than 30 feet from an exit. Prepare to dive at least 80 feet in 60-degree water while exploring a colorful marine habitat.

3. Manta Night Dive | Kona, Big Island, Hawaii

You may have to go with a divemaster to experience this top dive site in the U.S. Off the coast of Kona and at a depth of 35 feet, you can swim with manta rays at night. Divers shine a light underwater to reveal packs of giant mantas that created a home in this part of the ocean. Divemasters have identified 180 rays that appear on a regular basis during organized dives. 

4. Keystone Jetty | Whidbey Island, Washington

Keen to see a rare, giant Pacific octopus? Cruise to Whidbey Island, 30 minutes north of Seattle, and dive at Keystone Jetty. Technically, this is a shore dive to a sloping boulder pile stretching from the waterline down 60 feet deep. The grounds are known for strong currents and tides, so it’s best to go with a guide. 

Once you’re underwater, keep an eye out for red Irish lords, cod, rockfish, and of course GPOs hiding within the crevasses of the boulders. Yachting in this part of the Pacific Northwest is ideal for a boat like K-584, a 120’ CPN that’s built with a state-of-the-art dive center.

5. Sombrero Reef, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary | Marathon, Florida 

Plan a yacht charter to the Florida Keys and dive off the boat into Sombrero Reef. This colorful, living coral reef extends from Key Biscayne to Dry Tortugas and is one of the most beautiful spots to dive in Florida. Under the surface, you’ll find a variety of colorful marine life such as parrotfish, yellowtail snappers, nurse sharks, angelfish, groupers, and more. It’s a 30-foot deep reef system with the Sombrero Key Lighthouse being the most popular spot to start a dive.

6. U-352 | Cape Lookout, North Carolina

U-352 was a German submarine that was active during World War II. It was sunk in 1942 off the coast of Cape Hatteras and has since become one of the top dive sites in the U.S. If you enjoy cruising around Cape Hatteras in a sportfish, consider exploring this underwater wreck with a guide. This top dive site is known for its visibility, stable conditions, and warm water. Sea anemones, corals, and amberjack have made U-352 home.

7. USTS Texas Clipper | South Padre Island, Texas

In the Gulf of Mexico, 17 miles off the coast of South Padre Island, Texas is 473 feet of artificial reef. The USTS Texas Clipper was purpose sunk in 2007 to become the third-largest wreck in the U.S. At about 70 to 80 feet below the surface, you can see the port side of the vessel and the marine life that looms around the wreck such as hammerheads, sunfish, and jacks.

8. African Queen | Ocean City, Maryland

Cruising off the coast of Maryland, you may hear about the African Queen, a 590-foot tanker that ran aground on Gull Shoal in 1958. The vessel snapped in two as it went down, and the bow section is now a popular wreck site at 73 feet. Underwater you’ll find lobsters, barracudas, and other marine creatures. Yachting off the coast of Maryland and into Delaware Bay is ideal for a yacht such as PURA VIDA, a 65’ Viking Princess.

9. Cornelia B. Windiate | Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Michigan

We already know that Mackinac Island, Michigan is one of the best boating destinations in the U.S., but while you’re cruising the upper peninsula consider diving the Cornelia B. Windiate wreck at Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Full disclosure, this site is for experienced divers as depths reach over 100 feet. Cornelia B. Windiate, a 136-foot wooden schooner, sits upright at the bottom of Lake Huron at 180 feet deep. It sank in 1875 and is now a beautiful, well-preserved dive site.

10. USS Oriskany | Pensacola, Florida

Nicknamed the “Great Carrier Reef,” the USS Oriskany is a 911-foot aircraft carrier that was sunk 26 miles off the coast of Pensacola, Florida (an excellent charter destination). Strong currents and depths of 145 feet make this dive suitable for advanced scuba divers. Under the surface, you’ll see amberjacks, groupers, Spanish hogfish, angelfish, and more. A yacht like BRANDI WINE, a 114’ Hargrave 2009, is perfect for this type of excursion.

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