NBM Dive Site Resource
USS Oriskany
Pensacola, Florida, United States
The former USS Oriskany (CV-34) is a large aircraft-carrier artificial reef off Pensacola, intentionally sunk on May 17, 2006, in approximately 212 feet of water.
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Historic Photograph
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.
Red Snapper
Lutjanus campechanusFWC and Escambia County monitoring retained 184 red snapper from the Oriskany during eight sampling rounds. Divers may see adults holding around the carrier structure, with abundance varying by season, depth, and fishing pressure.
NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, Exploring Puerto Rico’s Seamounts, Trenches, and TroughsOpen Aquatic Life Profile →
Scamp Grouper
Mycteroperca phenaxThe Oriskany monitoring program documented scamp grouper in catches from the wreck. Divers may encounter scamp near relief and openings along the structure, but sightings are not guaranteed.
Andrew David, NOAA/NMFS/SEFSC Panama City; Lance Horn, UNCW/NURC - Phantom II ROV operator.Open Aquatic Life Profile →
Red Grouper
Epinephelus morioFWC and Escambia County sampling documented red grouper at the Oriskany. This is an evidence-backed but comparatively uncommon encounter, most likely close to structural relief.
SEFSC Pascagoula Laboratory; Collection of Brandi Noble, NOAA/NMFS/SEFSCOpen Aquatic Life Profile →
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
Historic aircraft carrier USS Oriskany (CV-34), now a major Gulf artificial reef with approximately 134 feet of vertical relief.
Shipwreck-only module
The wreck
This section appears only on shipwreck records and brings the vessel, its loss, present condition, access, and responsible wreck-diving considerations into one place.
Plan the trip
Dive boats that visit this wreck
Operator explicitly offers morning and afternoon half-day trips to USS Oriskany.
Open boat profile →Pensacola, FloridaH2O Below — Pensacola Dive CharterH2O Below Dive ChartersOfficial destination page lists USS Oriskany with charter booking access.
Open boat profile →Pensacola, FloridaEmerald Ocean — Pensacola Dive CharterEmerald Ocean Dive ChartersOperator explicitly offers recreational and technical trips to USS Oriskany.
Open boat profile →Pensacola / Gulf Breeze, FloridaShark Quest — Pensacola Offshore Dive CharterShark Quest Dive ShopDedicated USS Oriskany offshore-dive page provides charter booking access.
Open boat profile →Mac’s Marina, Pensacola, FloridaNatare Barathrum — MBT Divers Private CharterMBT DiversMBT private charter vessel; the operator states USS Oriskany charters run daily and can accommodate groups or individuals.
Open boat profile →Before you arrive
Access notes
The site is about 22.5 nautical miles southeast of Pensacola Pass. Confirm current charts, notices, site condition, weather, and local operator guidance before departure.
Plan within your training
Conditions and hazards
Deep-water site with a technical-depth bottom; limited gas and no-decompression time, current, changing visibility, boat traffic, entanglement, sharp or unstable structure, and overhead or penetration hazards.
Connected reporting
News mentioning USS Oriskany
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.