USS Aaron Ward (Wreck)
The USS Aaron Ward (DD-483) is a renowned Gleaves Class Destroyer that sank on April 7, 1943. It offers a remarkable and technically challenging diving experience in the Solomon Islands, at a depth of 62 to 74 meters, featuring excellent visibility and vibrant marine life. This dive site is best explored during slack tide.
Divers can expect encounters with grey reef sharks in the mid-water, as well as batfish, schools of trevally, and barracuda. The sunken vessel remains intact and upright, presenting a captivating sight with its bow and stern guns reaching towards the sky. Additionally, anti-aircraft guns, torpedoes, and munitions are scattered throughout the site.
Enhanced data:
- Visibility: Approximately 20 meters
- Maximum depth: 61 meters
- Recommended diver level: Advanced and expert
- Country: Solomon Islands
- Close location: Tulagi, Central Province, Solomon Islands
Divers can expect encounters with grey reef sharks in the mid-water, as well as batfish, schools of trevally, and barracuda. The sunken vessel remains intact and upright, presenting a captivating sight with its bow and stern guns reaching towards the sky. Additionally, anti-aircraft guns, torpedoes, and munitions are scattered throughout the site.
Enhanced data:
- Visibility: Approximately 20 meters
- Maximum depth: 61 meters
- Recommended diver level: Advanced and expert
- Country: Solomon Islands
- Close location: Tulagi, Central Province, Solomon Islands
Diving Conditions Score for USS Aaron Ward (Wreck)
7
GoodGood diving conditions!
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.
Dive Site Overview for USS Aaron Ward (Wreck)
Depth
61m
Visibility
20m
Experience Level
advanced
expert
Weather Conditions for USS Aaron Ward (Wreck)
Wave Height
0.82m
Wind Speed
22.6 m/s
Water Temp
29.6°C
Visibility
30.42km
Cloud Cover
85%
Wave Period
4.05s
Air Temperature
29.2°C
Precipitation
0 mm
Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for USS Aaron Ward (Wreck)
Alpha
Dive Score Chart for USS Aaron Ward (Wreck)
Best time to dive: 17:00 with score 7.553284313725491/10. Water conditions: Waves 0.62m, Wind 18.9 m/s.Best night dive time: 20:00 with score 7.326444444444444/10.
Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.
Sunrise at USS Aaron Ward (Wreck): 06:00
Sunset at USS Aaron Ward (Wreck): 18:00
Optimal diving conditions at USS Aaron Ward (Wreck) are affected by daylight hours. Sunrise occurs at 06:00 and sunset at 18:00, which impacts visibility and water temperature for scuba diving and snorkeling.
Best Overall
17:00Score: 7.6/10
Waves: 0.62m (4.25s), Wind: 18.9 m/s
Best Night
20:00Score: 7.3/10
Waves: 0.58m, Wind: 19.8 m/s
Seasonal Analysis for USS Aaron Ward (Wreck)Alpha
Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at USS Aaron Ward (Wreck)
The dive score combines all factors to rate overall diving conditions throughout the year. Higher scores indicate better diving conditions.
Monthly Dive Score Analysis - Seasonal Diving Conditions
Higher values indicate better diving conditions
Seasonal DiveScore Chart
This chart displays monthly diveScore data throughout the year, showing seasonal patterns. The data is presented as a bar chart with an overlaid line graph.Dive scores range from 1 to 10, with 10 being optimal conditions.
Higher values indicate better diving conditions
Best Season for USS Aaron Ward (Wreck)
Summer
Avg. Score: 9.7/10
Summer offers the warmest water temperatures and generally favorable conditions for all levels of divers.
Best Months for USS Aaron Ward (Wreck)
May
Score: 9.9
July
Score: 9.9
June
Score: 9.6
Ideal Conditions for USS Aaron Ward (Wreck)
Water Temp
27.1°C / 80.8°F
July
Visibility
12.7m / 41.7ft
November
Wave Height
0.8m / 2.6ft
December
Wave Period
8.0s
January
Seasonal Insights for USS Aaron Ward (Wreck)
USS Aaron Ward (Wreck) follows southern hemisphere patterns with July being the warmest month (27.1°C) and December the coldest (23.0°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in December with average wave heights of 0.8m and wave periods of 8.0s. The most comfortable wave conditions are in December with a low wave steepness ratio, creating gentler swells. January offers the longest wave periods (8.0s), creating more comfortable and predictable conditions for boat entries and exits. Ocean currents are slowest in January (0.5m/s) and strongest in January (0.5m/s). July is usually the driest month with 2.0mm of precipitation. For beginners, the best time to visit would be during December to February, when ocean conditions are calmer with long-period waves and currents are typically weaker. Experienced divers might enjoy the challenges and potentially better visibility during the shoulder seasons, with moderate currents that can improve marine life encounters.
Last updated: 1 min. ago - Jun 23, 2026
Note: This dive site is not a verified dive site. Please dive with caution. This dive site might have incorrect information by the community.
18 Dive sites near USS Aaron Ward (Wreck) in
Tama Maru (Japanese Minesweeper)
Nanjalakalau Wall
Ed’s Wall
Maravagi F4F Wildcat (Wreck)
Baby Cakes Reef
Tanavula Point Drift
Base 1 Muck Site
HMNZS Moa (Wreck)
Balydon Shoals
Raiders / F4F Wildcat (Wreck)
Twin Tunnels Reef
USS Kanawa (Wreck)
PBY Catalina Seaplane (Wreck)
Gavutu F4F Wildcat (Wreck)
Kawanashi “Mavis“ Seaplane # 2 (Wreck)
USS Aaron Ward (Wreck)
Kawanashi “Mavis“ Seaplane # 1 (Wreck)
Azumasan Maru
Got feedback?
Help us improve this dive site by giving us feedback.