This dive site is the Kraken wreck, a 371-foot cargo vessel purposely sunk on January 20, 2017, as part of Texas Parks and Wildlife’s Ship-to-Reef program. Located 58 nautical miles off Galveston, TX in the Gulf of Mexico, it forms part of the designated HI-A-424 reef site, which spans 80 acres for exploration. Divers can navigate the extensive structure of the wreck, observing how it integrates into the surrounding artificial reef system and serves as a vital habitat for marine life.
As an artificial reef, the Kraken attracts a diverse array of marine animals. Expect to see various species of Gulf reef fish, including snapper, grouper, and amberjack, often schooling around the wreck. Pelagic species may also pass by. The wreck structure itself will be colonizing with corals, sponges, and anemones, providing microhabitats for smaller invertebrates such as crabs, shrimp, and nudibranchs.
The best time to visit the Kraken wreck is typically during the warmer months from late spring to early fall, when water temperatures are more comfortable and visibility tends to be at its best. Divers should be experienced in wreck diving and comfortable with depths up to 31 meters. For freedivers, the average depth of 15 meters offers an excellent opportunity to explore the shallower sections of the wreck, while those with advanced skills can attempt deeper descents. Always be aware of potential currents in this offshore location.
