Wayne Upchurch Reef
Protected Area
North Santee Bar
Why dive here
With 42+ marine species recorded in the area - including sea turtles - Wayne Upchurch Reef offers some of North Carolina's richest reef diving. Water ranges 12-28°C, warmest July, August, September.
The Wayne Upchurch Reef in North Carolina is an artificial reef, built from discarded bridge sections and other rubble. We’ve found it’s a pretty good spot for seeing sand tiger sharks, particularly during the warmer months, often resting amongst the structure. Visibility can be hit or miss here, so we’d suggest checking conditions before heading out. It’s a solid dive for those who enjoy wreck-like environments and have some experience with Atlantic currents.
Typical Wayne Upchurch Reef Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Reviews for Wayne Upchurch Reef
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Wayne Upchurch Reef
Wayne Upchurch Reef Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Wayne Upchurch Reef, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (34.6, -76.6) (0km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
23°C
73°F · Range: 19.9–26.4°C
Air Temperature
20°C
67°F
Wind Speed
1.8 m/s
3.5 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1016.7 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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