Location:
Off the southeastern coast of the United States, North Carolina’s Atlantic waters are home to the famous “Graveyard of the Atlantic,” where hundreds of shipwrecks rest along the continental shelf.
 
Why it’s a top dive destination:
North Carolina offers warm Gulf Stream currents, excellent visibility, and an unbeatable combination of history and marine life. The wrecks here have become artificial reefs that attract sand tiger sharks; large, slow-moving, and surprisingly gentle, creating some of the best shark diving in the western Atlantic.

 
Highlights:
Dozens of WWII wrecks including the U-352 and Aeolus
Wreck Alley off Morehead City and Wrightsville Beach
Frequent sand tiger shark sightings year-round
Warm, clear summer diving with tropical fish
 
Fun Fact:
Despite their menacing teeth, sand tiger sharks are calm and non-aggressive — they often hover motionless inside wrecks, giving divers that unforgettable “shark cathedral” experience.