MV Empire Gem Wreck - North Carolina

The MV Empire Gem, North Carolina. Now this is a proper wreck, isn't it? Not just a pile of rubble, but a genuinely impressive structure that still holds its shape. We love descending onto her, seeing the bow emerge from the Atlantic murk first, often surrounded by sand tiger sharks just cruising by. She sits upright, a real bonus for navigation and photography, and you can swim through various sections if you’re properly trained and equipped. The engine room is our favourite penetration, just try to imagine the noise and chaos when she went down. Everywhere you look, there are huge schools of Atlantic spadefish, and we’ve seen some seriously big goliath groupers tucked into the deeper parts of the wreck. The superstructure is heavily encrusted, soft corals in every shade of orange and purple. Keep an eye out for nudibranchs, especially on the rails. Strong currents can be a factor here, so pick your day, and we'd suggest diving on slack tide if you want to explore the interior without fighting the wash. It’s a dive that rewards repeat visits; you’ll always find something new.

Location

North Carolina, United States, North America

Coordinates

35.029716, -75.475040

Type

wreck

Marine Protected Area: NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary