USTS Texas Clipper TPWD Wreck, Texas

The Texas Clipper is a 473 feet long artificial reef that was sunk in 2007. The dive site is located 17 miles off the coast of South Padre Island and sits in approximately 136 feet of water. Resting on her port side, the wreck extends 70 feet below the surface.

Divers can expect to encounter a diverse array of blue water species during their dive. Keep an eye out for dolphins along the way to and from the site, as well as barracuda, sharks, lionfish, and many others.

Originally built as the USS Queens, a troop transport and attack ship during WWII, the Texas Clipper has a rich history. It played a vital role in the Pacific theater, being the first attack troop transport to arrive at Iwo Jima. After the war, the ship was transformed into the luxury liner SS Excambion, one of the prestigious "four aces" of the American Export Lines fleet. It offered stylish transportation for passengers and cargo between New York City and various Mediterranean ports. However, with the rise of commercial aviation in 1965, the Excambion was retired. Texas A&M University-Galveston came to its rescue, repurposing it as a maritime training vessel until 1996. Now, as an awe-inspiring dive site at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico, the Texas Clipper serves as a home to thousands of fish, soft corals, and other reef organisms.

With a visibility of 19m and a maximum depth of 30m, this dive site is recommended for advanced and expert divers. Located near the Texas Clipper, this underwater attraction offers a unique and compelling diving experience.