Scuba diving in USAT Liberty Wreck

Access
From Shore
Diver level
Novice
Depth
Average: 5 m
Maximum: 30 m
Visibility
Average: 10 m
Maximum: 35 m

The USAT Liberty, built in 1918 in New Jersey, was working as a cargo ship during World War II, when a torpedo from a Japanese submarine hit it. This wreck is 120m/394ft long and 20m/65ft wide. The wreck rests on a 90 degree angle with its shallowest part at about 5-10m/16-33ft deep and another side of the wreck touches a black volcanic sand slope at about 30m/98ft deep. Though the ship’s structure is slowly disintegrating, it is possible to swim safely into some of the large cargo holds. The wreck is covered with corals but it is still possible to see the bow of the wreck, guns, boilers, toilets and the anchor chain.

When to go

Diving is available year round. The best conditions to dive are between May and November. Temperatures range from 23C/73 to 30C/86F. The average water temperature stays around 24-29C/75-84F.

What to see

The variety of marine life occupying the wreck includes anglerfish, ghost pipefish, neon nudibranches, shrimps, garden eels, yellow mask surgeons, schools of batfish, fusiliers, sweetlips and butterfly fish. Also, pygmy seahorses, white tip sharks, huge parrotfish, napoleon wrasse, barracuda and giant trevalleys can be spotted near the wreck.

Reachable from

Liveaboards with trips to USAT Liberty Wreck

Liveaboard Special Offers

Reviews about USAT Liberty Wreck

  • 10
    Overall impression
  • 7
    Visibility
  • 10
    Sealife
  • 5
    Difficulty