White Bank - Inner Islands

The AR-140 barge 1 wreck off North Carolina isn’t one of those big, dramatic shipwrecks, but we find it consistently delivers. It’s a real working wreck, about 130 feet of twisted steel that feels like a permanent resident on the seabed. We often find it sitting in a nice current, which means good visibility days are common, and the fish love it. What we really enjoy here is the way the barge has become a sprawling apartment complex for marine life. You’ll see sheepshead darting through the broken sections, massive schools of baitfish shimmering above the deck, and often a fat loggerhead turtle cruising past. Our favorite part is poking around the more collapsed sections – there’s always a lobster tucked away or a grumpy oyster toadfish peering out. It’s a straightforward dive, perfect for divers who appreciate the subtle beauty of a wreck that’s fully integrated into its environment, rather than just a landmark.

Location
Inner Islands, Seychelles, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-4.329900, 55.813400
Type
wreck

Wreck History - White Bank

Vessel Type
barge
Cause
scuttled

This 130-foot barge is not a victim of storm or war, but a key feature of North Carolina's highly successful artificial reef program. It was intentionally sunk to create a marine habitat at site AR-140, also known as the New River Reef. This program transforms retired vessels and other materials into thriving underwater ecosystems, bolstering fish populations and providing incredible destinations for scuba divers.

Diving on this barge offers a classic artificial reef experience. Its simple, open structure provides an ideal substrate for corals and sponges to grow, which in turn attracts a dense population of fish. Divers can expect to be greeted by schools of baitfish, spadefish, and barracuda. The waters off North Carolina are famous for larger visitors as well, and it's not uncommon to encounter sand tiger sharks cruising lazily around the structure during the summer months. This barge is a perfect example of how we can give old vessels a new purpose beneath the waves.

Marine Protected Area: La Digue Shell Reserve

Best Time to Dive in Inner Islands

The warmest water temperatures in Inner Islands occur in April, averaging 30.4°C. The coolest conditions are in August at 26.6°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 28.7°C
  • February: 29.0°C
  • March: 29.8°C
  • April: 30.4°C
  • May: 29.8°C
  • June: 28.5°C
  • July: 26.8°C
  • August: 26.6°C
  • September: 27.4°C
  • October: 28.3°C
  • November: 29.0°C
  • December: 29.1°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Inner Islands

Nearest Dive Centres to White Bank

Marine Life in Inner Islands

Home to 184 recorded species including 156 reef fish, 8 hard corals, 6 sharks & rays, 5 sea snails & nudibranchs, 4 whales & dolphins, 2 other.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for White Bank

Based on average water temperature of 28.6°C, currents 11 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories