NBM Dive Site Resource
Great Gull Reef
Offshore Ocean City, Maryland, United States
A Maryland Department of Natural Resources-mapped artificial reef area with published site context, structures or materials and a state planning coordinate.
Save this dive site to your free member profile.
Historic Picture Placeholder
Aquatic life at this dive site
What divers may encounter
Three reviewed connections are featured here. Sightings vary by season, conditions, and chance, so they are never guaranteed.
Aquatic life research in progress
NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.
Aquatic life research in progress
NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.
Aquatic life research in progress
NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.
Site media
Photographs
Three views rotate from the published gallery on each visit.
Contributor media
Dive videos
Three featured video positions are reserved on every profile.Published reference location
Location map
The marker shows the public coordinates associated with this profile. Confirm current access, moorings, and departure details before the dive.Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Recent field observations
Diver-reported temperatures
Automatically checked observations from dives during the past 14 days. Three reports are visible at a time; scroll for more.A report that passes the automatic checks will appear here with the dive date, diver’s display name, and temperatures at each depth.
Reports are automatically checked for plausible dates, depths, and temperatures. They are observations, not forecasts; confirm conditions before diving.
Connected artificial-reef collection
Deployment history
This dive site is included in the deployed Artificial Reefs search, where deployment records and connected news updates are gathered together.
Why divers know this place
Highlights
Great Gull Reef, also known as Russell's Reef, is a 998 acre site located approximately 3 nautical miles from the Ocean City inlet, 4.2 miles southeast of the R-2 buoy. The reef material includes concrete, vessels, designed units, and materials of opportunity.
Dive-area module
Area coverage
This profile represents a preserve, sanctuary, park, or regional dive area rather than one underwater site. The sourced inventory below links to the named sites documented within its boundaries.
Before you arrive
Access notes
The mapped center is not a mooring, exact structure coordinate or safe navigation waypoint. Select a documented target, display required dive flags, avoid active fishing gear and confirm current site status.
Plan within your training
Conditions and hazards
Current, low visibility, boat traffic, entanglement, fishing gear, sharp or unstable material, depth, cold water, possible overheads and seasonal low oxygen. No penetration without specific training and equipment.
At the site
Facilities and support
No guaranteed onsite facilities; support is vessel-based. Confirm suitable ladder, oxygen, communications, gas supply and evacuation planning before departure.
Independent resource notice
This record is a starting point for independent verification. Access, closures, moorings, weather, currents, depth, visibility, operator availability, and site conditions can change without notice. Confirm current information with the responsible operator, property owner, managing authority, or another qualified local source before planning or attempting a dive.