Exact site page with wreck type, depth, and wooden-barge structure.
United States of America
Northwest Barges is a Barnegat offshore wreck site with wooden barges and sand.
Northwest Barges is a Barnegat offshore wreck site with wooden barges and sand.
Northwest Barges is an offshore Barnegat wreck dive made up of several old wooden barges resting on sand. The site is all about structure: decking, low walls, and scattered wreckage that give you a clear route to work even when the water moves. It is a boat-only Atlantic dive, so plan around charter timing, a line descent, and changing conditions. Certified divers get the most out of it, especially when visibility and current line up.
Site Conditions
Safety Notes
Use a descent line, watch for offshore current, and avoid snagging on decking or fishing gear.
Access Restrictions
Boat charter required; plan around offshore conditions and a line descent. Not a shore or casual snorkel site.
Legal Notes
Follow New Jersey dive-flag rules and the charter captain's procedures for offshore wreck diving.
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
A solid Atlantic wreck dive for certified divers comfortable with a line descent and careful buoyancy around wood decking and low walls.
Freediving
Not a practical freedive target; the site is offshore, deeper, and current-sensitive.
Snorkeling
Not a snorkel site; the barges sit too deep and the offshore exposure makes surface viewing poor.
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
Last Updated
Research Sources
Exact site page with wreck type, depth, and wooden-barge structure.
NW Barges charter page; 4 miles offshore, 60-70 ft, 7-9 barges, sea-legs framing.
Dive report mentioning no current and only very slight surge at Northwest Barges.

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