Paradise Reef - North Carolina
North Carolina's Paradise Reef is an interesting spot for East Coast divers. The reef itself is a natural coral formation, not a wreck, which sets it apart from many local dives. While we haven't seen any specific species data, local reports suggest a decent variety of smaller reef fish and invertebrates. It’s a good option for divers looking for a natural reef experience in the region, perhaps as a second dive.
- Location
- North Carolina, United States, North America
- Coordinates
- 33.517850, -78.969000
- Type
- reef
Marine Protected Area: Brookgreen Gardens Marshland
Nearby Dive Sites in North Carolina
- 184 menhaden vessel CAPT GREG MICKEY AR-400 (wreck)
- Aeolus (Wreck) - 31m (wreck)
- AR-220 - Buoy - 20-35m (wreck)
- AR-225 - Buoy
- AR-255 - Buoy
- AR-302 - 459 Assault Transport Ship YANCEY (wreck)
- AR-366 - Buoy
- AR-368 - 10 Railroad boxcars (wreck)
- AR-368 - 241 barge LC-16 (wreck)
- AR-368 - Buoy
- AR-372 - 10 Railroad boxcars - 15-30m (wreck)
- AR-372 - 2 220 barge (wreck)
- AR-376 - 10 Railroad boxcars - 15-30m (wreck)
- AR-376 - Buoy
- Atlantic Beach Reef AR-315 - 104 US Navy tug TAKOS (reef)
Nearest Dive Centres to Paradise Reef
- All About Diving
- Aquatic Safaris - ["PADI"]
- Bay Breeze Dive Center
- Broadreach Adventures LLC - ["PADI"]
- Bubbles or Not Scuba
- Carolina Dive Center - ["PADI"]
Marine Life in North Carolina
Home to 42 recorded species including 38 reef fish, 2 clams & mussels, 2 other.
Notable Species
- Mottled Sculpin (Cottus bairdii) - Reef Fish
- Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) - Reef Fish
- Sea Trout (Salmo trutta) - Reef Fish
- American Gizzard Shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) - Reef Fish
- brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) - Reef Fish
- asian clam (Corbicula fluminea) - Clams & Mussels
- Western Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) - Reef Fish
- Longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus)
- Skipjack Herring (Alosa chrysochloris) - Reef Fish
- White Sucker (Catostomus commersonii) - Reef Fish
- Threadfin Shad (Dorosoma petenense) - Reef Fish
- Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens) - Reef Fish
- Golden Shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas) - Reef Fish
- Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis) - Reef Fish
- Blueback Herring (Alosa aestivalis) - Reef Fish
- Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) - Reef Fish
- Eastern Mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) - Reef Fish
- Fringed Flounder (Etropus crossotus) - Reef Fish
- Black Sea Bass (Centropristis striata) - Reef Fish
- Wandering Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) - Clams & Mussels