Coming Spring 2026

Dive the
SS United States

The world's largest artificial reef, sinking off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton Beach.

Photo Credit: Destin-Fort Walton Beach

A Floating Piece of American History

Launched in 1952, the SS United States was the fastest ocean liner ever built—a Cold War engineering marvel that still holds the transatlantic speed record more than 70 years later. Designed to convert into a troopship, she carried four U.S. presidents, Hollywood royalty, and over a million passengers across the Atlantic.

Now she's coming home—to the Gulf of Mexico, off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton Beach, where she'll be reborn as the world's largest artificial reef.

An old, rusted ship named 'United States' partially submerged and docked at a harbor, with a blue sky and scattered clouds overhead.

990 ft

Length

53,000

Tons

2026

Deployment

#1

Largest Reef

Why This Matters for Destin

The SS United States isn't just history sinking to the seafloor—she's a multi-decade economic and ecological boost for the Florida Panhandle. Once deployed, the reef will:

  • Create a 990-foot dive site unlike anywhere else in the world

  • Generate millions in tourism revenue for Destin-Fort Walton Beach

  • Provide habitat for hundreds of marine species

  • Honor the legacy of one of America's greatest engineering achievements

Old, rusted passenger liner ship with two large smokestacks in a harbor, with a small boat nearby and cranes in the background.

Project Timeline

2024

Acquired by Okaloosa County for reefing

2025

Hazardous materials remediation & reef preparation

Spring 2026

Deployment off Destin-Fort Walton Beach

Mid-March 2026

ScubaTech Destin bookings open (target)

Summer 2026

First dives to the world's largest artificial reef

Be the First to Dive Her

Bookings open mid-March 2026. Join the waitlist to get early access, project updates, and a heads-up the moment we open the calendar.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Tentatively Spring 2026. Final deployment date depends on weather windows and final permitting.

  • The reef will sit in approximately 180 feet of water, with the upper structure reachable around 60 feet. Divers of all certification levels will have something to explore.

  • Open Water for the upper structure. Advanced Open Water and Deep Specialty for deeper sections. Tec/penetration training required for interior dives.

  • Approximately 20 nautical miles off Destin-Fort Walton Beach. Travel time roughly 60–90 minutes each way depending on conditions.

  • Targeting mid-May 2026. Join the waitlist above and we'll email you the moment the calendar goes live.

Questions? Talk to the Shop.

850-837-2822 · scubatechdestin@scubatechdestin.com

📍 301 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541