Dive the SS United States with Shark Quest
America's record-setting ocean liner is becoming the world's largest artificial reef, about 22 nautical miles southwest of Destin–Fort Walton Beach. Okaloosa County plans to sink her on Thursday, November 12, 2026, weather permitting. Charters begin November 13 — call us to book.
Call us to book so we can walk you through gear, nitrox and trip details.
At a Glance
990 ft long (overall), 101.5 ft beam
Maiden voyage July 3, 1952; won the Blue Riband (3 days, 10 hrs, 40 min eastbound, avg 35.59 knots)
Planned depth: about 180 ft to the bottom, about 55 ft to the upper deck (Okaloosa County, proposed)
About 22 nm southwest of Destin–Fort Walton Beach
Deployment: Nov. 12, 2026, 10 a.m. (weather permitting)
About the Ship
Designed by naval architect William Francis Gibbs and built by Newport News Shipbuilding, the SS United States was launched on June 23, 1951. She is still the largest ocean liner ever built entirely in the United States. On her maiden voyage in July 1952 she crossed the Atlantic eastbound in 3 days, 10 hours, and 40 minutes at an average of 35.59 knots, taking the Blue Riband from the Queen Mary. No ocean liner has beaten that crossing record since.
She was built to be converted into a troopship in wartime if needed, with heavy use of aluminum and strict fireproofing. Between 1952 and 1969 she carried about a million passengers, including Marilyn Monroe, Walt Disney, Judy Garland, Cary Grant, and Duke Ellington. She was withdrawn from service in 1969 as jet travel took over the Atlantic. Her interiors were auctioned in 1984 and stripped in the 1990s, and she sat at a Philadelphia pier from 1996 until 2025.
From Philadelphia to the Gulf: Timeline
1952
Maiden voyage. She wins the Blue Riband.
1969
Withdrawn from service.
1996–2025
Laid up at a pier in Philadelphia.
2011
Purchased by the SS United States Conservancy.
Oct. 2024
Purchased by Okaloosa County to become the world's largest artificial reef.
Feb. 19 – Mar. 3, 2025
Towed from Philadelphia to Mobile, Alabama.
2025–2026
Remediation in Mobile under EPA/MARAD Best Management Practices. Fuel, wiring, non-metal items, and contaminants were removed. Holes were cut so she lands upright and so marine life can move through her. Her funnels and radar mast were removed (Aug. 2025) for the Conservancy's land-based museum.
Nov. 9, 2026
Planned departure from Mobile (al.com).
Nov. 11, 2026, 1:30 p.m.
Public sendoff ceremony at the Destin–Fort Walton Beach Convention Center.
Nov. 12, 2026, 10 a.m.
Deployment operations begin at the site, weather permitting. Live viewing party at AJ's Seafood & Oyster Bar in Destin from 9 a.m. A livestream link will be posted at thessus.com.
Note: The county has said the date depends on the weather, and no backup date has been announced.
Watching the Sinking
If you plan to watch from a boat, Okaloosa County expects potentially hundreds of vessels. Bystanders must follow the instructions of the safety boats on site. The proposed deployment location published by the county is 30° 07.148' N, 86° 46.755' W.
The Wreck Dive: What to Expect
Okaloosa County's proposed depth is about 180 feet to the bottom and about 55 feet to the upper deck. The county says that range will suit "both beginners and technical divers." Final depths will be confirmed once she is on the bottom.
- Upper deck (~55–60 ft): within recreational depth limits. Minimum: Open Water certification with recent dives.
- Hull and lower decks (down to ~180 ft): deep and technical territory, with decompression and trimix for the deepest sections.
- Penetration: needs wreck training. Never enter without the right certification and gear.
- Offshore conditions: the site is about 22 nm out, so expect open-Gulf conditions and currents.
- Gear requirements: Nitrox is required, and each diver must carry a surface marker buoy (SMB). Pony bottles are encouraged but not required.
- Marine life: the county expects reef fish such as red snapper and grouper, plus pelagics such as amberjack, mackerel, and tuna, to move onto the wreck over time.
Shark Quest teaches NAUI and SDI/TDI courses from Open Water through Instructor, including Intro to Tech and the Poseidon Se7en rebreather. Ask us about getting ready for this dive now.
View training coursesBook an SS United States Charter
We run a small boat: a 30' Scotty Craft that takes 4–6 divers, always with a Divemaster aboard. We depart from Shalimar Harbor Marina, C-Dock, 100 Old Ferry Road, Shalimar, FL 32579.
- SS United States trip price: $300 for three dives.
- First available trip dates and schedule: Charters begin November 13, 2026 and run onward. Call for available dates.
- Departure: Meet at the dock at 7:00 AM; the boat departs at 7:30 AM.
- Requirements: Open Water certification with recent dives. Nitrox is required, and each diver must carry a surface marker buoy (SMB). Pony bottles are encouraged but not required.
Call us to book so we can walk you through gear, nitrox and trip details.
Call the shop at (850) 516-6800 or email sharkquestdiveshop@gmail.com.
Shop: 5614 Gulf Breeze Pkwy, Gulf Breeze, FL 32563.
Hours: Tue–Thu 10am–6pm, Fri–Sat 9am–6pm.