Alabama packs more than its fair share of great dive sites into less than 60 miles of Gulf of Mexico coastline.

The state’s Gulf Coast is littered with monumental purpose-sunk wrecks teeming with tropical fish, due in part to state programs that continuously add on to the artificial reef system.

The city of Mobile is a jumping-off point for diving from nearby Gulf Shores, a white-sand beach town dotted with resorts. Orange Beach is a local public beach with direct access to shallow wrecks 150 yards from shore. Even inshore, visibility compares to Florida’s better-known Emerald Coast because the Mississippi River outflow in Louisiana runs west toward Texas rather than east toward Alabama and Florida.

Alabama can be dived year-round, but the best period is between May and September, when the Gulf of Mexico is the most predictably calm. Offshore charters offer a dozen sites that help make up one of the largest concentrations of artificial reefs in the world. Tropical fish and wildlife such as splendid toadfish, red-lipped batfish and grouper reside within wrecks. Local lionfish hunts help manage the invasive species’ population.

Popular wrecks include the liberty ship Allen, the Charlie Brown barge, tugs and even a Russian freighter, the San Pablo. The world’s largest purpose-sunk wreck, the USS Oriskany, off the Florida Panhandle, is also accessible from Orange Beach.

Two Alabama wrecks worth noting separately are the LuLu and the New Venture. The LuLu is a steel-hulled retired coastal freighter intentionally sunk in 2013 within recreational diving limits. This ship has since been twisted in two directions by hurricanes but is still a prolific artificial reef.

The New Venture, a 250-foot research vessel, was sunk near shore in 2018. It has wide openings, leaving all parts of the ship accessible to divers with the appropriate training. Recreational divers can access all areas of the ship, which starts at 60 feet and reaches 120 feet at the sand; technical divers can plan longer, more complex dives on the ship.
Alabama’s dense artificial reef system and warm waters draw recreational divers from across the country.

Dive Sites

New Venture

Alabama’s newest artificial reef begins at a depth of just 60 feet and reaches the bottom at 120. The top deck and stern hold are visually appealing, photogenic structures. Nearby sunken army tanks and oil rigs provide alternate dive locations with more mature wildlife aggregations, though jacks and snapper are commonly seen on the New Venture.

Whiskey Wreck

Directly offshore from Bahama Bob’s Beach Side Cafe, this sunken 200-foot rum runner can be found in 20 feet of water. This and other artificial reefs are scattered throughout Orange Beach. Lying past the sandbar, these shore dives can also be seen by snorkelers. Visibility averages 15 feet.

Tug Boats

Sea life is abundant on local sunken tugs: the Navy Tug, the 151 Tug and the 105 Tug. Of the three,
 the Navy Tug has an abundance of fish and some penetration opportunities in the wheelhouse. The boat’s surrounded by sand, and unusual bottom dwellers and rays can be found just beyond it.

Need to Know

Conditions: Viz varies from 15 to 100 feet, depending on the weather; water temps range from 60 to 80 degrees.

What to Wear: A 5 mm wetsuit.

Dive Shops Recommended by PADI: Down Under Dive Shop, Gulf Shores, Alabama; Dive Pros, Pensacola, Florida
; Round Island Divers, Pascagoula, Mississippi.

Trip Tips

1. USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park


Plan a full Saturday to experience both ships-turned-museums at the park. Tour the dive locker on the USS Alabama, then head to the World War II submarine USS Drum, the oldest American sub on public display. Learn more during battle reenactments with local pilots and
tours led by veteran sailors.

2. Lambert’s Cafe

Join in the fun at this Southern restaurant just north of Gulf Shores known for its generous portions and “throwed rolls,” made from scratch daily and delivered to the table just the way it sounds—tossed through the air by your server. Plan meals at this local favorite early to avoid crowds.

3. Gulf State Park

Camp or stay in luxury cottages at Gulf Shores’ Gulf State Park, where you can enjoy hiking and biking trails from white-sand beaches to marshland and pine forests. Alligators, bald eagles, ospreys and sea turtles are among the notable wildlife throughout the park.