Diving in North Carolina

Explore 165 dive sites in North Carolina, United States. Ocean conditions, marine species, and dive centres.

Marine Life in North Carolina

Home to 42 recorded species including 38 reef fish, 2 clams & mussels, 2 other.

Dive Site Difficulty in North Carolina

North Carolina has 2 beginner, 3 intermediate dive sites - suitable for divers of all levels.

Marine Protected Areas in North Carolina

  • Cape Hatteras National Seashore - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Cape Lookout National Seashore - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Currituck National Wildlife Refuge - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Bald Head Island State Natural Area - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Fort Macon State Park - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Bird Island Coastal Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Big Foot Island - Conservation Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge. - National Wildlife Refuge (IUCN Category Ib)
  • Heritage Shores - Nature Preserve (IUCN Category V)
  • Lea Island - State Natural Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Masonboro Island - National Estuarine Research Reserve (IUCN Category V)
  • New Dump Island - Conservation Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Several Islands Audubon - Preserve (IUCN Category V)
  • Shell Island Audubon - Preserve (IUCN Category V)
  • Wainwright Island Audubon - Preserve (IUCN Category V)
  • Wildlife Resources Commission Island C 05-06 - Conservation Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Sea Turtle Sanctuary - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Masonboro Island - State Park (IUCN Category III)
  • Bird Island - Coastal Reserve (IUCN Category V)
  • Fort Macon State Park Dedicated Nature Preserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Masonboro Island Estuarine Reserve Dedicated Nature Preserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Masonboro Island State Natural Area - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Rachel Carson Estuarine Reserve Dedicated Nature Preserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Zekes Island Estuarine Reserve Dedicated Nature Preserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Currituck Banks - National Estuarine Research Reserve (IUCN Category V)
  • Rachel Carson - National Estuarine Research Reserve (IUCN Category V)
  • Zekes Island - National Estuarine Research Reserve (IUCN Category V)
  • Currituck - National Wildlife Refuge (IUCN Category IV)
  • Snow's Marsh Island - Private Conservation (IUCN Category V)
  • Currituck Banks Estuarine - Reserve (IUCN Category V)
  • Cape Hatteras - National Seashore (IUCN Category V)
  • Cape Lookout - National Seashore (IUCN Category V)
  • Queen Anne's Revenge Shipwreck - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)

Getting to North Carolina - Nearest Airports

  • Coastal Carolina Regional Airport (EWN), New Bern - 17 km away, approx 33 min travel time
  • Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), Raleigh/Durham - 198 km away, approx 231 min travel time
  • Norfolk International Airport (ORF), Norfolk - 216 km away, approx 251 min travel time

Dive Sites

Dive Centres