World’s Largest Artificial Reef for 2026 center on the 990-foot SS United States, scheduled for sinking off Okaloosa County, Florida on November 11, 2026. The ship joins 4,548 artificial reef deployment locations that Florida tracks statewide as of May 2026.
World’s Largest Artificial Reef 2026 – Introduction
The World’s Largest Artificial Reef is a retired ocean liner. The SS United States measures 990 feet, set a transatlantic speed record in 1952, and now heads for the Gulf of Mexico seafloor about 22 nautical miles southwest of Destin, Florida. Okaloosa County bought the ship to turn it into fish habitat and a dive destination. The sinking was scheduled for November 11, 2026, one day earlier than first planned because of high winds.
This report collects the numbers behind the project and the state around it. You will find ship specifications, location distances, project costs, Florida’s 4,548 reef deployment locations, Okaloosa County’s reef network, shipwreck reefs, and habitat facts. Each section pairs a chart with a table, then explains every metric. Figures come from county officials, state agencies and university extension research. Where sources disagree, the report says so. Numbers reflect reports available on November 12, 2026, so check the county and the FWC for updates as the project moves from sinking to monitoring.
Interesting Facts About the World’s Largest Artificial Reef 2026
KEY 2026 REEF NUMBERS (each █ = 100 units)
SS United States length (ft) | █████████ 990
Florida reef locations | █████████████████████████████████████████████ 4,548
Okaloosa County reefs | █████ 500+
| Fact | 2026 Data |
|---|---|
| SS United States length | 990 feet |
| Florida artificial reef deployment locations | 4,548 |
| Okaloosa County artificial reefs | 500+ |
| Distance southwest of Destin | 22 nautical miles |
| Distance southeast of Pensacola | 32 nautical miles |
| Reported project cost | About $13 million |
| Transatlantic crossing record | 3 days, 10 hours, 40 minutes |
| Year the ship entered service | 1952 |
| Year the ship retired | 1969 |
Source: Okaloosa County, Florida, 2026; CBS News, November 2026; Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Artificial Reef Program (.gov), May 2026.
The ship is the star number. At 990 feet, it is longer than the previous record holder, the USS Oriskany, which was sunk off Pensacola in 2006. It also runs more than 100 feet longer than the Titanic. Okaloosa County reports a project cost near $13 million, paid from county tourist tax revenue. The ship carried presidents and celebrities during its 17 years of service and was long called America’s Flagship.
Florida supplies the wider context. The state’s FWC tracks 4,548 deployment locations as of May 2026, and Okaloosa County manages more than 500 reefs of its own. The ship will rest 22 nautical miles from Destin and 32 nautical miles from Pensacola, close to a dive site that already draws visitors. Together these figures show a project built on a long history and a large, active state program rather than a one-off stunt.
World’s Largest Artificial Reef 2026: SS United States Size and Ship Specifications
ATLANTIC CROSSING TIME IN HOURS (each █ = 5 hours)
SS United States | ████████████████▌ 82.7
RMS Queen Mary | ██████████████████▌ 92.7
| Metric | SS United States |
|---|---|
| Length | 990 feet (about 302 meters) |
| Maiden voyage | 1952 |
| Transatlantic time | 3 days, 10 hours, 40 minutes |
| Margin over RMS Queen Mary | 10 hours |
| Retirement year | 1969 |
| Construction cost (reported) | $70 million to $79.4 million |
| US government share of construction | $50 million |
| Length advantage over Titanic | More than 100 feet |
Source: Okaloosa County, Florida; Fox 29 Philadelphia, November 2026; Interesting Engineering, 2026; Marine Insight, November 2025.
The SS United States entered service in 1952 and crossed the Atlantic in 3 days, 10 hours and 40 minutes. That is about 82.7 hours. It beat the RMS Queen Mary by 10 hours, which makes the liner roughly 10.8% faster on the same route. No ocean liner has beaten the time since. The ship left service in 1969 after 17 years. Four US presidents sailed on it: Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy and a young Bill Clinton.
Size and cost round out the profile. At 990 feet, the ship converts to about 302 meters and tops the Titanic by more than 100 feet. Reports put construction cost between $70 million and $79.4 million. The US government paid $50 million, which is 63% to 71% of the total. Those costs came from a 1950s shipbuilding program that also fit the ship for troop transport. The hull was built just wide enough to pass through the Panama Canal with 2 feet of clearance on each side, and the ship remains the largest passenger vessel ever built in the United States.
2026 SS United States Sinking Location, Date and Project Cost
DISTANCES FROM THE REEF SITE IN NAUTICAL MILES (each █ = 2 nm)
USS Oriskany reef | ██████ 12
Destin, FL | ███████████ 22
Pensacola, FL | ████████████████ 32
| Metric | 2026 Value |
|---|---|
| Scheduled sinking date | November 11, 2026 (moved up from November 12) |
| Reason for date change | Heavy winds and unsafe weather |
| Distance southwest of Destin | 22 nautical miles (41 km) |
| Distance southeast of Pensacola | 32 nautical miles (59 km) |
| Distance from the USS Oriskany reef | 12 nautical miles (22 km) |
| Reported project cost | About $13 million |
| Funding source | County tourist tax revenue |
| Tow from Philadelphia | Began February 2025 |
Source: Okaloosa County, Florida, via Fox 29 Philadelphia and CBS News, November 2026; 6abc Philadelphia, November 2025.
County officials moved the sinking from November 12 to November 11 because of heavy winds. Board Chairman Trey Goodwin said the new date fell on Veterans Day. County officials say cancelling the reef would leave scrapping as the only realistic option for the ship. The site lies 22 nautical miles southwest of Destin and 32 nautical miles southeast of Pensacola. It sits about 12 nautical miles from the USS Oriskany, so divers can plan one trip to two major wrecks.
Money and travel complete the picture. The project costs about $13 million, funded by county tourist tax revenue. The ship spent nearly three decades docked in Philadelphia until a rent dispute with its pier owner forced a sale. It left Philadelphia under tow in February 2025, spent most of 2025 in Mobile, Alabama for cleaning, and then moved to the Florida Panhandle. Prices reported for the purchase itself vary between outlets, so this report cites only the total project cost. Confirm the sinking status with Okaloosa County before you cite it as complete. Tugboats towed the ship because its engines no longer work, and the tow to Mobile took about 12 days.
Florida Artificial Reef Locations 2026: Statewide Deployment Totals
FLORIDA REEF DEPLOYMENT LOCATIONS (each █ = 100)
March 2018 | █████████████████████████████████ 3,300
Approx. 2022 | ██████████████████████████████████████ 3,800
October 2024 | ███████████████████████████████████████████▌ 4,383
May 2026 | █████████████████████████████████████████████ 4,548
| Date | Florida Reef Deployment Locations |
|---|---|
| March 2018 | 3,300+ |
| Approx. 2022 (UF/IFAS report) | 3,800+ |
| October 2024 | 4,383+ |
| End of 2025 (FWC public reefs) | 4,476 |
| May 2026 | 4,548+ |
| Increase, March 2018 to May 2026 | 1,248 (37.8%) |
Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Artificial Reef Program (.gov), 2018 to 2026; University of Florida IFAS Extension (.edu), publication FA242.
Florida’s reef count rose from 3,300 in March 2018 to 4,548 in May 2026. That is 1,248 more locations, a gain of 37.8% in about eight years. The FWC says each point in its data set marks one deployment event, either a unique reef or the same reef deployed on different days. Counts therefore measure deployment locations, not individual structures.
The pace has slowed lately. The count moved from 4,383 in October 2024 to 4,548 in May 2026, a rise of 165 or 3.8%. FWC reported 84 new patch reefs in 2025 and 4,476 total public artificial reefs at year end. Florida researchers found that reef numbers rose substantially from 2015 through 2021. The IFAS Extension figure near 3,800 uses a different count of approved public recreational reefs, so compare it loosely. Totals differ by source and date, so name the agency and month whenever you quote a figure from this table. FWC also warns that it has not independently confirmed many older reef locations. The agency calls Florida’s program one of the most active among the 15 Gulf and Atlantic coastal states involved in artificial reef development.
2026 Okaloosa County Artificial Reefs and Florida Shipwreck Reef Statistics
REEF NETWORK SIZE (each █ = 100 reefs)
Okaloosa County | █████ 500+
Rest of Florida | ████████████████████████████████████████ 4,048
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Okaloosa County artificial reefs | 500+ |
| Share of Florida’s 4,548 locations | About 11% |
| Large vessels sunk by Okaloosa over three decades | 12+ |
| USS Oriskany sinking year | 2006 |
| Oriskany distance from new reef | 12 nautical miles |
| Previous largest reef record holder | USS Oriskany |
Source: Okaloosa County, Florida, via The Associated Press, November 2025; Wanderlust Magazine, 2025; FWC Artificial Reef Program (.gov), May 2026.
Okaloosa County manages more than 500 artificial reefs. Compared with Florida’s 4,548 locations, that is about 11% of the statewide total. The county has sunk more than 12 large vessels in the past three decades. Those include smaller shipwrecks such as the RMS Atlantis. Okaloosa’s network already holds about a dozen smaller shipwrecks. The SS United States will join this network and become its largest piece.
The USS Oriskany set the earlier size record after its 2006 sinking off Pensacola. Sources disagree on its exact length, so this report skips that number. The new reef sits 12 nautical miles away. The pairing gives the Panhandle two headline wrecks. Officials say the ship should draw tens of thousands of visitors each year, adding a year-round dive draw to the local economy. The county pairs the project with a multiyear marketing campaign funded through agreements with Visit Pensacola and Coastal Conservation Association Florida, which made its largest donation in its 40-year history.
2026 Florida Patch Reef Growth 2015 to 2021: Structures and Average Size
FLORIDA REEF DEPLOYMENTS, 2015 TO 2021 (each █ = 1,000)
Reefs deployed | ▌ 900+
Individual structures | █████████████████████████ 25,000+
| Metric | 2015 to 2021 Value |
|---|---|
| New reefs documented by FWC | 900+ |
| Individual structures placed | 25,000+ |
| Average patch reef size | 1,245 square feet |
| Structures per reef (average) | About 28 |
| Total patch reef footprint | About 1.1 million square feet |
Source: University of Florida IFAS Extension (.edu), “An Update on Florida’s Artificial Reefs: Recent Deployments and Trends,” FA242; FWC Artificial Reef Program (.gov).
University of Florida researchers found that FWC documented more than 900 new reefs from 2015 through 2021. Permitting is required for every deployment, and FWC does not issue the permits; federal regulators handle that step. Nearly all were patch reefs, small clusters of structures such as rock piles or reef modules. The average patch reef covered about 1,245 square feet. Reef counts in Florida refer mostly to patch reefs, not to single structures. Across 900 reefs, that adds up to roughly 1.1 million square feet, about 26 acres.
The structure count shows how small each unit is. More than 25,000 individual structures went into those reefs, which works out to about 28 per reef. A ship like the SS United States is the opposite model: one very large structure instead of many small ones. Both approaches add hard surface for marine growth, and Florida uses both. FWC grants funds each year for building and monitoring reefs, and it holds a statewide Artificial Reef Summit every 5 years.
2026 SS United States Reef Marine Life Habitat and Environmental Preparation
PROJECT TIMELINE
Purchase to sinking (each █ = 2 months) | █████████████ 25 months
Tow to Mobile (each █ = 2 days) | ██████ 12 days
| Preparation Step | Detail |
|---|---|
| Cleaning location | Port of Mobile, Alabama |
| Materials removed | Chemicals, wiring, plastics, glass |
| Hull changes | Holes cut; passageways for marine life |
| Environmental concern raised | Zinc chromate primer |
| County response | Project meets EPA regulations |
| Court status | Federal judge dismissed lawsuit to stop the sinking |
| Museum items saved | Both funnels and one propeller |
Source: Okaloosa County, Florida, via Fox 29 Philadelphia, November 2026; Marine Insight, November 2025; Interesting Engineering, 2026; WMBB, 2025.
Crews spent most of 2025 in Mobile removing chemicals, wiring, plastics and glass. They also cut holes in the hull and built passageways so fish and divers can move through the structure. The SS United States Conservancy also plans a land-based museum with ship artifacts, fixtures and furnishings. Okaloosa County says all environmentally unsafe materials are gone. Scientists and environmental groups raised concerns about the ship’s zinc chromate primer, and the county says the project meets EPA rules.
Legal and heritage steps ran alongside the work. A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit that tried to stop the sinking. Both funnels and one propeller went to the SS United States Conservancy for a land-based museum in Destin. University of Florida research notes that more habitat can raise the number of young fish that survive to adulthood. Reef monitoring over the coming years will show how this structure performs. FWC uses SCUBA, sidescan sonar and underwater video to monitor reefs statewide.
Frequently Asked Questions About the World’s Largest Artificial Reef 2026
What is the world’s largest artificial reef in 2026?
The SS United States is set to become the world’s largest artificial reef. The ship measures 990 feet and sinks off Okaloosa County, Florida.
When is the SS United States being sunk?
The sinking was scheduled for November 11, 2026. Officials moved it up from November 12 because of heavy winds.
Where is the SS United States reef located?
The reef sits about 22 nautical miles southwest of Destin and 32 nautical miles southeast of Pensacola, Florida.
How big is the SS United States?
The ship is 990 feet long. That is more than 100 feet longer than the Titanic.
How much does the SS United States reef project cost?
Reports put the project near $13 million, funded by Okaloosa County tourist tax revenue. Purchase price reports vary between outlets.
How many artificial reefs are in Florida in 2026?
The FWC reports 4,548 artificial reef deployment locations statewide as of May 2026.
How many artificial reefs does Okaloosa County manage?
Okaloosa County manages more than 500 artificial reefs, including about a dozen shipwrecks.
What was the largest artificial reef before the SS United States?
The USS Oriskany held the record after its 2006 sinking off Pensacola. It lies about 12 nautical miles from the new reef site.
What speed record does the SS United States hold?
The ship crossed the Atlantic in 3 days, 10 hours and 40 minutes in 1952, beating the RMS Queen Mary by 10 hours. The record still stands.
Is the SS United States reef safe for the environment?
Crews removed chemicals, wiring, plastics and glass. Okaloosa County says the project meets EPA rules, though scientists raised concerns about the zinc chromate primer.
Can divers visit the SS United States reef?
County officials plan the site as a year-round dive destination. Confirm access rules and depth details with Okaloosa County before you plan a dive.
Why are artificial reefs built in Florida?
Reefs add hard surfaces for marine life and create fishing and diving sites. The FWC grants funds for their construction and monitoring.
How long was the SS United States in service?
The ship served from 1952 to 1969, a span of 17 years.
What happens to the ship’s funnels?
Both funnels went to the SS United States Conservancy for a land-based museum in Destin, along with one propeller.
How many new patch reefs did Florida add in 2025?
FWC reported 84 new patch reefs in 2025, bringing its public artificial reef total to 4,476 at year end.
Did a court try to stop the SS United States sinking?
A coalition filed a lawsuit to stop the sinking. A federal judge dismissed it and cleared the way for Okaloosa County.
How many reef structures did Florida place from 2015 to 2021?
FWC documented more than 25,000 individual structures across more than 900 new reefs in that period.
How much faster was the SS United States than the Queen Mary?
The liner beat the RMS Queen Mary by 10 hours on the Atlantic crossing, finishing in 3 days, 10 hours and 40 minutes.
Who paid for the SS United States reef project?
Okaloosa County funded the roughly $13 million project with tourist tax revenue. Coastal Conservation Association Florida also made its largest donation in its 40-year history.
How much did the SS United States cost to build?
Reports put construction cost between $70 million and $79.4 million. The US government paid $50 million of it.
What materials did crews remove before the sinking?
Crews removed chemicals, wiring, plastics and glass at the Port of Mobile, Alabama before cutting holes in the hull for marine life.
Where can I find Florida artificial reef locations?
The FWC Artificial Reef Program publishes deployment locations and downloads. The data is not for navigation, since many historical coordinates are unverified.
Disclaimer: The data research report we present here is based on information found from various sources. We are not liable for any financial loss, errors, or damages of any kind that may result from the use of the information herein. We acknowledge that though we try to report accurately, we cannot verify the absolute facts of everything that has been represented.
