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SaltwaterOceanShipwreckUnverified

NBM Dive Site Resource

SM U-117

Offshore Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States

A captured German World War I minelaying submarine sunk during U.S. aerial bombing trials in 1921.

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Historic Photograph

Captured German submarine SM U-117 with U.S. Navy vessels before bombing trials.
SM U-117, the exact submarine later sunk during U.S. aerial bombing trials.U.S. Navy; via Wikimedia Commons · Public domain — U.S. federal government workSource ↗
WaterMarine
AccessOffshore boat access. Confirm the exact site, current conditions and required diver qualifications with a current Virginia operator; publication does not imply an operator connection.
ExperienceTechnical trimix/decompression divers only, with a site-specific plan and redundant equipment
Maximum depth230 ft / approximately 70 m
Best seasonSeasonal and weather-dependent; offshore departures are frequently canceled or changed for sea state.
VisibilityVariable and often limited by nearshore water, plankton, storms and bottom disturbance; offshore blue water may improve conditions.

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.

Profile connection reserved

Aquatic life research in progress

NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.

Profile connection reserved

Aquatic life research in progress

NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.

Profile connection reserved

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.
Illustrated scuba diver reserved for a future dive-site photograph
Dive Photograph PlaceholderDive-site photograph pending
Illustrated scuba diver reserved for a future dive-site photograph
Dive Photograph PlaceholderDive-site photograph pending
Illustrated scuba diver reserved for a future dive-site photograph
Dive Photograph PlaceholderDive-site photograph pending

Contributor media

Dive videos

Three featured video positions are reserved on every profile.
Dive-site video pending
Dive-site video pending
Dive-site video pending

Regional location and nearby land

Location map

Regional overview includes the nearby coast for orientation. It does not establish a navigation waypoint or an entry location.
Map areaVirginia Beach and the Virginia Capes
Open regional map ↗
Map zoom level 6 of 11

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.
Automatically checked
No recent diver reports from the past 14 days

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.

Diver field observation

Report temperatures

Reports publish automatically when the date, depths, and temperatures pass the checks. You must be signed in to submit.

Depth readings

Why divers know this place

Highlights

Very deep, substantially intact historic submarine for fully equipped technical divers.

Before you arrive

Access notes

Use a qualified buddy, required dive flag and surface-signaling equipment. Confirm anchor or live-boat procedure, gases, reserves, decompression, current and emergency plan before departure.

Plan within your training

Conditions and hazards

Current, low visibility, cold water, depth, decompression obligation, boat traffic, entanglement, fishing gear, sharp or unstable wreckage and overheads. Treat memorial wrecks respectfully and do not penetrate without specific training.

At the site

Facilities and support

No onsite facilities; all support is vessel-based. Confirm oxygen, suitable ladders, gas capability and evacuation planning with the selected operator.

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.