NJ Shipwrecks Suba Diving

Wreck diving off the coast of New Jersey offers a unique blend of maritime history, marine biodiversity, and underwater adventure-and for Capt. Rob, it was the perfect opportunity to explore two of the state's most compelling dive sites: the Veronica M and Big Hankins. Departing from the docks at Shark River aboard the dive boat Sea Eagle, Capt. Rob was fully geared up in a thick wetsuit to brave the brisk 58°F Atlantic waters. He dove using Nitrox 30 tanks, descending into the depths with only 100 psi of breathing gas remaining by the end of each dive-testament to how captivating these wrecks truly were. The Veronica M is a sunken tugboat resting in approximately 75 feet of water. Though its origin story may be modest, the tug's final resting place has transformed into a thriving reef system. On this dive, Capt. Rob descended onto the intact frame of the tugboat, its silhouette blurred but recognizable through the emerald green waters of the Jersey coast. The Veronica M is now a mosaic of marine life: its steel beams encrusted with sponges and hydroids, while sea anemones sway gently with the currents. The site was alive with movement-blackfish darting between crevices, sea bass circling in formation, and vibrant sea stars clinging to rusted panels. Equally fascinating was the Big Hankins wreck, a wooden barge or schooner believed to have sunk during a violent storm in the late 1900s. Lying slightly deeper than the Veronica M at around 80 feet, the Big Hankins offers a more fragmented, mysterious dive. Timber beams and hull remnants are scattered along the seabed, slowly blending into the ocean floor. Yet nature has taken over here too: lobsters lurked under beams, sand dollars fanned out across the sand like coins on a forgotten altar, and schools of wrasse swirled through the wreckage. The wreck had a ghostly, almost sacred presence, with each dive revealing new details hidden among the ruins. The underwater ecosystem surrounding both wrecks was astonishing. Colonial anemones and sponges painted the wrecks in hues of orange, yellow, and lavender. Crustaceans-some as small as a thumbtack, others as large as a dinner plate-inhabited every nook and cranny. The occasional glimpse of a lane snapper or a lazy sea bass reminded Capt. Rob of the richness of New Jersey's nearshore marine life, often underestimated by divers seeking tropical waters. These artificial reefs now serve as vital habitats in the Atlantic ecosystem. Capt. Rob's dive on the Veronica M and Big Hankins highlighted not just the thrill of wreck diving, but the layered beauty of underwater exploration in local waters. Cold, murky, and sometimes challenging, Jersey wreck diving is also deeply rewarding. These submerged time capsules offer glimpses into the past while nurturing vibrant underwater communities. For Capt. Rob, this wasn't just a dive trip-it was a journey through history, ecology, and the enduring allure of the sea.