North and South Carolina have tons to offer travelers, with stunning outdoor attractions, delicious dining, history galore, and even a handful of the best aquariums in the world. Specifically, North Carolina has some excellent aquariums that underwater enthusiasts love, but the region's allure doesn't end where the water begins.
These southern states are famous for beautiful beaches, charming seaside towns, and close proximity to the Graveyard of the Atlantic - a region rich in shipwrecks, historical and purpose sunk alike. Here, underwater explorers can swim through history, exploring infamous WWII wrecks loaded with marine life. Lucky visitors will also have a chance to get up close and personal with some of the region's most famous residents - sand tiger sharks. These ferocious-looking animals gather in large groups, drifting calmly in the current, and they are entirely uninterested in the surrounding divers!
Want to learn more about these dynamic dive sites and the wildlife that they attract? Keep reading to discover the top ten places for scuba in North and South Carolina and start planning a trip.
10 U-352
This German U-boat serves as a sobering reminder of how close the bloody battles of WWII came to American shores. On May 9, 1942 the sub's captain accidentally fired on the US Coast Guard Cutter Icarus having mistaken the vessel for a merchant ship. A barrage of depth charges fired in return by the well-armed Icarus quickly brought the U-352 to rest on the sea floor.
Today, divers can explore this sub's exterior, which has transformed into a thriving artificial reef. A thick crust of coral coats the superstructure, hosting all manner of tiny marine animals. Schooling silversides and reef fish are also seen here, and a famously photographed pair of morays known locally as the "love eels" is another easy-to-find highlight.
- Conditions: Minimal current, max depth 100 feet (30 meters)
- Highlights: Well-preserved hull, artificial reef
9 USS Vermilion
This 470-foot (143 meter) long ship served as a troop transport during WWII. However, it wasn't scuttled during a conflict like some of the region's other shipwrecks. Instead, it was intentionally sunk in 1988 as an addition to the South Carolina artificial reef program. The Vermilion is resting in deep water, almost perfectly upright. And though it's a fraction of the size, it is often compared to Florida's USS Oriskany Wreck.
Because of the site's size, the Vermilion can't be seen entirely in one or two tanks. The boat's hull has become a haven for crabs and lobster, and larger species like grouper and even sand tiger sharks can be seen here. This is an excellent site for wreck penetration and a perfect place to learn.
- Conditions: Moderate current, max depth 140 feet (42 meters)
- Highlights: In-tact superstructure, artificial reef, larger oceanic animals
Divers should never enter a shipwreck unless they are trained and certified to do so.
8 Aeolus
This is one of the country's most photographed dive sites, often hosting large groups of sand tiger sharks swarmed by silversides. The wreck itself is broken into 3 large pieces, each of which is worth a full tank's exploration. Head to the storage area below the stern deck for lovely light-filled swim throughs open to divers of all levels.
The hull of the Aeolus is badly degraded, having become more artificial reef than wreck. Divers can expect a thick crust of colorful coral everywhere they look, adding a vibrant splash to underwater photography. Schooling barracuda, jacks, and tropical fish are common here, as are larger animals. Sand tigers aren't the only sharks that visit this site - larger sandbars sometimes pass by in the blue, too.
- Conditions: Moderate current, max depth 110 feet (33 meters)
- Highlights: Swim throughs, sand tiger sharks
Learn more about artificial reefs and where to dive them in the US.
7 Cooper River
This is a dive experience like any other, with explorers taking the plunge in near pitch-black water and dragging themselves along the bottom with sharp tools like screwdrivers. The river itself is loaded with hazards, from fallen trees and massive balls of mud to alligators and even sharks. But, it's all worthwhile for explorers hoping to get their hands on rare fossils found in only a few other places.
The most sought-after ancient artifact found here is a meg tooth, left behind by one of the planet's most fearsome prehistoric sharks that induce chills. These palm-sized chompers are also easier to spot than smaller specimens. Whale bones, prohibition-era glass bottles, and all kinds of old and discarded items can also be found in the river.
- Conditions: Strong current, max depth 35 feet (11 meters)
- Highlights: Fossilized whale bones, shark teeth, historical artifacts
Divers here need special safety equipment, including knee pads, helmets, mounted lights, and gloves.
6 Twin Cities
Known today as the Twin Cities, these two ships were downed in an accidental crash amid blackout conditions during WWII. The Dutch freighter Hebe was found at fault for the wreck, slamming into the St. Cathan, a British Sub Chaser. Today, the wreckage of these vessels lies nearly 1/4 mile apart, ideal for a 2-tank adventure.
The St. Cathan is a fun wreck to explore, thanks to its population of resident marine life. Schooling fish, sand tiger sharks, and plenty of cool macro critters call its hull home. The sand nearby is also said to contain a few undeployed depth charges! The Hebe is also home to a thriving artificial reef, and it's a great place to spot historical items like glass bottles.
- Conditions: Moderate current, max depth 110 feet (33 meters)
- Highlights: Historical artifacts, intact superstructure, large wildlife including sharks
5 Papoose
This wreck is highly unique in appearance, lying on the sea floor almost entirely upside down. Though the ship's superstructure remains mostly intact, it does bear evidence of serious damage, having been struck by multiple torpedoes and partially crushed under its own weight.
The Papoose is famous for its swim throughs and penetration routes, though in recent years some of these have begun to show signs of major deterioration. Divers should always exercise caution while inside - and those who are not certified and trained to enter should stay on the exterior. This wreck is famous for large aggregations of sand tiger sharks, especially during summer months.
- Conditions: Mild to moderate current, max depth 120 feet (36 meters)
- Highlights: Artificial reef, wreck penetration, sand tiger sharks
4 Charleston Tug
Most of the sites on this list are ideal for advanced and adventurous scuba divers, but not the Charleston Tug! Thanks to its shallow depth, mild to nonexistent current, and better-than-average (for the region) visibility, this is a top pick for newly certified and novice divers. And there's plenty for more experienced explorers to see, as well!
This 130-foot (40 meter) tug sits almost perfectly upright, giving divers a perfect view of the entire hull as they descend. Having only been underwater for a few years, the superstructure isn't entirely covered in coral yet, allowing some metal to show through. This creates a beautiful texture and a fantastic backdrop for photography. Scour the surface for gobies and blennies, or focus on shooting the vibrant reef fish that gather here.
- Conditions: Mild current, max depth 62 feet (18 meters)
- Highlights: Artificial reef, small and medium underwater wildlife
3 Caribsea
For divers hoping to encounter giant shivers of sand tiger sharks sometimes numbering in the hundreds, this shipwreck is the place to be! Downed during WWII’s Battle of the Atlantic, the Caribsea has been reduced to little more than a pile of rubble over the years. Nonetheless, its collapsed hull has become a hotspot for marine wildlife with massive schools of swirling baitfish hunted by larger pelagics like jacks and barracuda.
During summer months, large groups of sand tiger sharks gather here, hovering above the wreck. Though their ragged toothy appearance might seem intimidating, these are passive and gentle animals, mostly uninterested in scuba divers. Hover in the rocking surge to take a close look at these fascinating creatures and their accompanying schools of silversides, and snap a photo or two!
- Conditions: Moderate current, max depth 90 feet (27 meters)
- Highlights: Sand tiger sharks, artificial reef
While sand tiger sharks are generally harmless, they can accidentally bump into divers or swat them with their powerful tails. Keep a safe distance and avoid approaching from behind.
2 BP-25
This 160 foot (49 meter) British Petroleum tanker was intentionally sunk in 1985, as an addition to the South Carolina Artificial Reef Program. Since making its journey to the ocean floor, the BP-25 has been utterly transformed, becoming a hotspot for marine wildlife and a thriving artificial reef. Experienced wreck divers can penetrate this ship's interior, with multiple routes available hitting highlighters like the engine room, cabins, and corridors.
This ocean oasis was recently expanded on, with 40 subway cars added to the sand around it in 2003. Swimming over, around, and between these large submerged objects reveals fascinating coral formations and cool bottom dwellers including massive flounder, stingrays, and garden eels.
- Conditions: Mild to moderate current, max depth 90 feet (27 meters)
- Highlights: Interesting underwater architecture, artificial reef
1 Meg Ledge
Meg Ledge isn't actually a single dive site. It's actually a series of submerged ledges at varying depths, where the seafloor has begun to erode away. As the sand, gravel, and stone disappear, ancient fossils often emerge, with species like prehistoric sloths, dolphins and whales, and of course the mighty Megalodon slowly working their way toward the surface.
This is a unique diving experience, with each explorer working independently to scour away the bottom in search of fossilized treasure using their hands or digging tools. Visibility is poor, thanks to a constant coastal swell and all that digging. And, most dives are conducted below 100 feet (30 meters). So, it's not an area for the inexperienced.
- Conditions: Unpredictable currents, max depth 130 feet (40 meters)
- Highlights: Fossils including Megalodon teeth