1 / 13The SS United Statesa famed ocean liner is set to become the world’s largest artificial reef off the coast of Florida. Crews are undertaking extensive cleanup process – removing furl, hazardous materials, wiring, plastics and glass – to ensure the ship becomes an environmentally friendly safe underwater structure. (Photo: The Associated Press)
2 / 13Although various efforts to restore the ship over the years have failed due to high costs, renewed interest in preserving the iconic liner has sparked a legal battle. A group called the New York Coalition has filed a federal lawsuit in Pensacola to block the plan, arguing for the ship’s historical significance. However, Alex Fogg, coastal resource manager for Okaloosa County says, “Once it’s underwater, more people will visit it in a month than have seen it in the last 30 years.” (Photo: AP)
3 / 13Artificial reefs are engineered underwater habitats designed to support marine biodiversity. Constructed using decommissioned vessels, concrete sculptures, and even subway cars, these structures offer an alternative sanctuary for aquatic species and simultaneously relieve environmental pressure on natural reefs. Let’s take a dive through the world’s largest artificial reefs through this photo gallery. (Photo: USS Oriskany Diver)
4 / 13Redbird Reef: Beneath Delaware’s waters lies the bustling reef – constructed from decommissioned NYC subway cars and military surplus. Spanning over a square mile, this reef is a haven for mussels, oysters, and other invertebrates. Its success lies in transforming a flat, lifeless seabed into a vibrant ecosystem teeming with marine activity. (Photo by Robert M. Martore, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources; Courtesy: CBC News)
5 / 13The Tank: Resting beneath Jordan’s Aqaba Marine Park, this submerged M42 Duster tank serves as both an artificial reef and historical relic. Deliberately sunk in 1999, it supports diverse marine species like lionfish and shrimp in its shallow, crystal-clear setting. (Photo by Nickolay Vinokurov; Courtesy: Tanks Encyclopedia)
6 / 13USS Oriskany: Known as the “Great Carrier Reef,” the USS Oriskany lies 22 miles off Pensacola’s coast. Sunk in 2006, this 32,000-ton aircraft carrier provides habitat for coral, algae, and migratory species. Its structural complexity makes it one of the world’s most popular wreck diving sites. (Photo: USS Oriskany Diver)
7 / 13Neptune Memorial Reef: Off the coast of Florida’s Key Biscayne, this reef blends ecological function with human remembrance. Spanning 16 acres, this submerged site mimics Atlantis and hosts over 50 fish species and nearly 200 coral colonies, thriving in its algae-supportive metal-and-cement build. (Photo by Neptune Memorial Reef; Courtesy: Deeper Blue)
8 / 13The Silent Evolution: Jason deCaires Taylor’s “The Silent Evolution” lies beneath Mexico’s Caribbean waters—an underwater art gallery of 450 human figures. Part of Cancún’s Underwater Museum, the installation supports coral regrowth while engaging divers in a dialogue about ocean sustainability. (Photo Courtesy: Under Water Sculpture)
9 / 13The Pyramids: Installed in the biodiverse Coral Triangle at Jemeluk act, the reef as eco-engineered shelters for tropical fish and sea turtles. These geometric concrete forms support reef regeneration in a region plagued by overfishing and coral bleaching. (Photo: Getty Images)
10 / 13Urban Reefa submerged “house” off the Cancún coast, offers sanctuary to aquatic life within sculpted walls and windows. Designed by artist Jason deCaires Taylor, this marine-safe structure combines art with ecology, blending human form with reef function. (Photo by Malek Bee Production; Courtesy: Poc Na Dive Center)
11 / 13USNS Hoyt S. Vandenberg: Now lying off the coast of Florida’s Key West, the ship was transformed into an artificial reef in 2009. This 522-foot WWII transport ship fosters marine life growth and diverts tourism away from fragile natural reefs nearby. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
12 / 13Dakota Plane Wreck: At the bottom of Karaada’s coastal waters rests a C47 Dakota aircraft, a relic repurposed into marine habitat. Since its 2008 submersion, the wreck has provided shelter for species like giant groupers, enriching Turkey’s growing artificial reef network. (Photo: Getty Images)
13 / 13Reef Balls: Used globally, Reef Balls are eco-engineered spheres designed to mimic the ocean’s natural features. With more than 500,000 deployed across four continents, these structures boost coral attachment and fish habitation in otherwise barren underwater landscapes. (Photo: Reef Innovations)
