Scuba Diving Trips in North Carolina

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North Carolina offers breathtaking natural beauty, from the rolling Appalachian Mountains in the west to the pristine beaches along the Atlantic coast in the east. Visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping, kayaking, and scuba diving, as well as scenic drives along the famous Blue Ridge Parkway. There are also numerous historic sites for visitors to explore such as the Wright Brothers National Memorial, Biltmore Estate and the USS North Carolina Battleship.

For diving, North Carolina offers some of the best scuba diving on the east coast of the United States, with an abundance of shipwrecks and marine life to explore. The state’s coast is home to the “Graveyard of the Atlantic,” a nickname given to the stretch of coastline where hundreds of shipwrecks have occurred over the years. Surrounding these shipwrecks are dozens of sand tiger sharks which are a sight to see. These wrecks can be explored by any level of diver, making the dive sites very accessible.

What To Expect

Scuba Diving

Diving along the North Carolina coast will certainly get your heart racing. You might be able to swim with sand tigers and barracudas and dive in the same water only miles away from Blackbeard’s infamous ship, Queen Anne’s Revenge. Take a glimpse into the past as you explore shipwrecks from all over the world since the 1700s.

It’s no surprise that North Carolina is referred to as the “Graveyard of the Atlantic”. With over 2,000 shipwrecks scattered along the seafloor, some can even be spotted from the shore. U-boats from WWll, German submarines and vessels from the Civil War are just a few that have made the ocean floor their new home.

You might see:

Sand tiger sharks
Lionfish
Giant stingrays
Grouper
Barracuda
Nurse sharks
Sea turtles

Recommended Specialty Courses

Wreck diving
Deep diving
Boat diving

Who We Dive With

Olympus Dive Center

Diving with Olympus Dive Center brings comfort and relaxation to your dive adventure. Their dive boats can take divers to dozens of wreck sites, while dive pros show you the lay of the land. Their crew is always there to answer your questions and make sure you get the most out of each dive.

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Resorts

Olympus Dive Lodge

Located just two miles from the Olympus Dive Center, Olympus Dive Lodge provides bunk-style accommodations and the opportunity to meet divers from all over the country. Guests will need to bring his/or her own linens which typically include a sleeping bag, pillow and towel. Each bunk has a storage area for your dry gear. And after a day of diving, you can relax in the lounge or pop on over to Tight Lines Bar and Grill for an after-dive drink.

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Culture

Known as the “Graveyard of the Atlantic” and being rated as one of the #1 wreck diving destinations, North Carolina is a must-visit and must-dive destination. There are multiple reefs and wrecks for visitors to explore. The waters also offer great opportunities to dive with dozens of sand tiger sharks. The people in North Carolina make visiting even better. Overall, North Carolina is known for its rich history, scenic beauty, diverse outdoor recreation, vibrant cities and delicious cuisine.

U-352 Shipwreck

One of the most world-renowned World War II German U-Boats is the U-352, a German submarine. The U-352 rests in 115 feet of warm water with great visibility. Although divers cannot penetrate the wreck, it is still a must-dive destination because of the rich history and encounters with sand tiger sharks.

Aeolus Shipwreck

The Aeolus wreck rests in 110 feet of water and is home to a variety of marine life, including sand tiger sharks, sea turtles and barracuda. Divers can explore the ship’s massive propeller, cargo holds and engine room, as well as artifacts that remain scattered around the site. This wreck is known for its excellent visibility and strong currents.

Caribsea Shipwreck

For one of the best dive sites for fish, head to the Caribsea wreck. This freighter sank in 1942 after being torpedoed by a German submarine during World War II. The Caribsea lies in 90 feet of water and the clarity varies often. However, divers can spot massive schools of baitfish along with sea turtles and sand tiger sharks.

What prior travelers say

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“If anyone is into diving or thinking about getting into diving, Diventures is the absolute best! They make learning and travel so enjoyable! Can’t wait for my next trip with Diventures!”

Traveler Photos

Know Before You Go

Dive Insurance

Dive insurance is required on all Diventures trips. We recommen purchasing DAN dive insurance.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is not required but is highly recommended for all Diventures trips. We recommend purchasing DAN trip insurance.

Bug Spray

Be sure to bring it with you! Mosquitos are most active in the early morning hours and around sundown

Credit Cards

Please remember to let your CC company know where you are traveling to.

Temperature

The temperature in Moorehead City sits at 65ºF during the day and falls to 50º-55ºF in the evening. It also rains quite a bit so don’t forget a light rain jacket!

Lodging Amenities

Each guest will need to bring his or her own linens, typically a sleeping bag, pillowcase and towel.

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