North Carolina’s diverse coastline offers a wide range of scuba diving opportunities, from shallow reefs to deep wrecks. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced diver, there’s a site for you in the Tar Heel State.
Here are five of the best scuba diving sites in North Carolina⁚
- Emerald Isle
- Beaufort
- Morehead City
- Wilmington
- Outer Banks
Before you head out, be sure to check the weather forecast and tide tables. And always dive with a buddy!
Emerald Isle
Emerald Isle is a small barrier island located on the southern coast of North Carolina. It’s known for its beautiful beaches, clear waters, and excellent scuba diving.
There are two main scuba diving sites at Emerald Isle⁚ The Pinnacles and The Wreck of the Aeolus.
a) The Pinnacles
The Pinnacles is a series of underwater rock formations that rise up from the sandy bottom. The pinnacles are covered in a variety of marine life, including anemones, sea urchins, and fish. The Pinnacles is a great dive site for beginners and experienced divers alike.
b) The Wreck of the Aeolus
The Wreck of the Aeolus is a 19th-century steamship that sank off the coast of Emerald Isle in 1886. The wreck is now a popular dive site, and it’s home to a variety of marine life, including fish, sea turtles, and dolphins. The Wreck of the Aeolus is a more challenging dive site than The Pinnacles, but it’s also more rewarding.
If you’re planning a scuba diving trip to North Carolina, be sure to add Emerald Isle to your list. With its beautiful beaches, clear waters, and excellent diving, Emerald Isle is a great place to experience the underwater world.
a) The Pinnacles
The Pinnacles is a series of underwater rock formations that rise up from the sandy bottom off the coast of Emerald Isle, North Carolina. The pinnacles are covered in a variety of marine life, including anemones, sea urchins, and fish.
The Pinnacles is a great dive site for beginners and experienced divers alike. The water is usually clear, and the currents are mild. The pinnacles are also relatively shallow, so you don’t have to worry about diving too deep.
To dive The Pinnacles, you’ll need to take a boat out to the site. Once you’re there, you can simply drop down and start exploring. Be sure to keep an eye out for the variety of marine life that calls The Pinnacles home.
Here are some tips for diving The Pinnacles⁚
- Be sure to check the weather forecast and tide tables before you head out.
- Dive with a buddy.
- Stay within your limits.
- Be aware of the currents.
- Take your time and enjoy the dive.
The Pinnacles is a beautiful and unique dive site that you won’t want to miss. So if you’re planning a scuba diving trip to North Carolina, be sure to add The Pinnacles to your list.
b) The Wreck of the Aeolus
The Wreck of the Aeolus is a popular dive site off the coast of Emerald Isle, North Carolina. The Aeolus was a steamship that sank in 1886 after striking a reef. The wreck is now home to a variety of marine life, including fish, anemones, and sea turtles.
The Wreck of the Aeolus is a great dive site for experienced divers. The wreck is located in relatively deep water, and the currents can be strong. However, the wreck is also very large, so there is plenty to explore.
To dive The Wreck of the Aeolus, you’ll need to take a boat out to the site. Once you’re there, you can simply drop down and start exploring. Be sure to keep an eye out for the variety of marine life that calls The Aeolus home.
Here are some tips for diving The Wreck of the Aeolus⁚
- Be sure to check the weather forecast and tide tables before you head out.
- Dive with a buddy.
- Stay within your limits.
- Be aware of the currents.
- Take your time and enjoy the dive.
The Wreck of the Aeolus is a fascinating and historic dive site that you won’t want to miss. So if you’re planning a scuba diving trip to North Carolina, be sure to add The Aeolus to your list.
Beaufort
Beaufort is a historic town located on the North Carolina coast. It’s also a great place to go scuba diving. The waters around Beaufort are home to a variety of marine life, including fish, sea turtles, and dolphins.
There are two popular dive sites in Beaufort⁚ the Beaufort Inlet and the Old Drum Inlet. The Beaufort Inlet is a channel that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Beaufort River. The inlet is home to a variety of fish, including flounder, sea bass, and cobia.
The Old Drum Inlet is a smaller inlet located just south of the Beaufort Inlet. The Old Drum Inlet is home to a variety of marine life, including sea turtles, dolphins, and rays. Both the Beaufort Inlet and the Old Drum Inlet are great dive sites for beginners and experienced divers alike.
To dive in Beaufort, you’ll need to take a boat out to the dive site. Once you’re there, you can simply drop down and start exploring. Be sure to keep an eye out for the variety of marine life that calls Beaufort home.
Here are some tips for diving in Beaufort⁚
- Be sure to check the weather forecast and tide tables before you head out.
- Dive with a buddy.
- Stay within your limits.
- Be aware of the currents.
- Take your time and enjoy the dive.
Beaufort is a great place to go scuba diving. So if you’re planning a scuba diving trip to North Carolina, be sure to add Beaufort to your list.
a) The Beaufort Inlet
The Beaufort Inlet is a channel that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Beaufort River. It’s a popular dive site because it’s home to a variety of marine life, including fish, sea turtles, and dolphins.
The inlet is about a mile wide and has a maximum depth of about 60 feet. The bottom is mostly sand and mud, with some areas of rock and coral. The current can be strong in the inlet, so it’s important to be aware of your surroundings.
There are several different dive sites within the Beaufort Inlet. Some of the most popular sites include⁚
- The Jetty⁚ This site is located at the end of the jetty that protects the inlet from the ocean. The jetty is home to a variety of fish, including flounder, sea bass, and cobia.
- The Wreck of the Caribsea⁚ This site is located in the middle of the inlet. The Caribsea was a cargo ship that sank in 1942. The wreck is now home to a variety of marine life, including fish, sea turtles, and dolphins.
- The Sandbar⁚ This site is located on the north side of the inlet. The sandbar is a great place to see sea turtles and dolphins.
The Beaufort Inlet is a great dive site for beginners and experienced divers alike. However, it’s important to be aware of the currents and other hazards before diving in the inlet.
Here are some tips for diving in the Beaufort Inlet⁚
- Be sure to check the weather forecast and tide tables before you head out.
- Dive with a buddy.
- Stay within your limits.
- Be aware of the currents.
- Take your time and enjoy the dive.
b) The Old Drum Inlet
The Old Drum Inlet is a channel that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Core Sound. It’s a popular dive site because it’s home to a variety of marine life, including fish, sea turtles, and dolphins.
The inlet is about a half-mile wide and has a maximum depth of about 40 feet. The bottom is mostly sand and mud, with some areas of rock and coral. The current can be strong in the inlet, so it’s important to be aware of your surroundings.
There are several different dive sites within the Old Drum Inlet. Some of the most popular sites include⁚
- The Jetty⁚ This site is located at the end of the jetty that protects the inlet from the ocean. The jetty is home to a variety of fish, including flounder, sea bass, and cobia.
- The Wreck of the Caribsea⁚ This site is located in the middle of the inlet. The Caribsea was a cargo ship that sank in 1942. The wreck is now home to a variety of marine life, including fish, sea turtles, and dolphins.
- The Sandbar⁚ This site is located on the north side of the inlet. The sandbar is a great place to see sea turtles and dolphins.
The Old Drum Inlet is a great dive site for beginners and experienced divers alike. However, it’s important to be aware of the currents and other hazards before diving in the inlet.
Here are some tips for diving in the Old Drum Inlet⁚
- Be sure to check the weather forecast and tide tables before you head out.
- Dive with a buddy.
- Stay within your limits.
- Be aware of the currents.
- Take your time and enjoy the dive.
Morehead City
Morehead City is a town located on the North Carolina coast. It’s a popular destination for scuba diving, as it’s home to a variety of dive sites, including wrecks, reefs, and artificial reefs.
One of the most popular dive sites in Morehead City is the USS Indra. The Indra was a Navy destroyer that was sunk in 1995 to create an artificial reef. The wreck is now home to a variety of marine life, including fish, sea turtles, and dolphins.
Another popular dive site in Morehead City is the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum. The museum is located on the site of a former shipwreck, and it features exhibits on the history of shipwrecks in the area.
In addition to the USS Indra and the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, there are a number of other dive sites in Morehead City, including⁚
- The Beaufort Inlet
- The Old Drum Inlet
- The Cape Lookout Reef
- The Frying Pan Shoals
Morehead City is a great place to go scuba diving, as there are a variety of dive sites to choose from. However, it’s important to be aware of the currents and other hazards before diving in the area.
Here are some tips for scuba diving in Morehead City⁚
- Be sure to check the weather forecast and tide tables before you head out.
- Dive with a buddy.
- Stay within your limits.
- Be aware of the currents.
- Take your time and enjoy the dive.
dreamtravel