Wreck of U-701 - North Carolina

Diving the U-701, a German U-boat sunk in 1942, is a humbling experience. She sits broken on the seabed off North Carolina, a testament to a very different time. We love the way the hull has become a series of habitats, a jagged metal garden. You'll find schools of amberjack circling the conning tower, often with barracuda hovering nearby, watching. Look closer and you'll spot angelfish darting in and out of the twisted metal, and sheepshead picking at the growth on the decking. The bow section, largely intact, is particularly striking. We always spend a good while here, imagining the vessel in its prime. It’s not a deep dive, generally sitting around 30 metres, which means decent bottom time if you're smart about your gas. Currents can be a factor, so picking your day is key. We'd suggest going with a local charter that knows the conditions well. This isn’t a rummage-through-the-wreck sort of dive; it's more about respectful observation, soaking in the history, and enjoying the life that’s claimed it. It suits divers comfortable with colder water and decent visibility, typically 15-20 metres on a good day.

Location

North Carolina, United States, North America

Coordinates

35.238834, -75.111500

Type

wreck

Marine Protected Area: NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary