South Padre dive operator page with offshore location and depth profile.
Advanced offshore wreck on a Texas artificial reef.
Advanced offshore wreck on a Texas artificial reef.
USTS Texas Clipper TPWD Wreck is a large offshore Texas artificial reef with wide deck levels, long sight lines, and a deep wreck profile that rewards advanced boat divers. The site is usually handled as a charter trip from South Padre Island, with the wreck's scale, current, and penetration options making planning as important as the dive itself. It is a classic Gulf wreck that feels more like a serious wreck day than a casual sightseeing stop.
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
19m - 41m
Depth Note
The upper decks are around 19-24 m, while the wreck sits in about 41 m of water with much deeper structure below the accessible levels.
Best Season
March through October
Typical Conditions
Offshore Gulf wreck diving with strong visibility in warmer months, some current, and a large ship profile.
Site conditions, restrictions, and access requirements.
Site Conditions
Safety Notes
Stay disciplined on gas, line-handling, and depth control, and treat any penetration as advanced wreck diving only.
Access Restrictions
Use a charter boat from South Padre Island; the wreck sits about 17 miles offshore in federal waters.
Legal Notes
Follow TPWD artificial-reef guidance and charter instructions for offshore Gulf diving.
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
Advanced boat diving on a large artificial reef; the upper decks are around 19-24 m and the wreck drops much deeper.
Freediving
Not a freedive site; depth and offshore logistics make scuba the right fit.
Snorkeling
Not practical for snorkeling because the wreck sits far offshore and begins well below the surface.
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Planning answers for access, conditions, timing, and site logistics.
Last Updated
Research Sources
South Padre dive operator page with offshore location and depth profile.
Texas Parks and Wildlife artificial-reef background page.
Magazine feature with season, visibility, and wreck-depth details.
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South Padre Island Jetties is a shore dive with low visibility and surf.