4 Days | World-Class Wrecks | Sand Tiger Sharks

Join Blue Planet for four unforgettable days of wreck diving off the coast of North Carolina, one of the most legendary dive destinations in the United States. From swirling bait balls to iconic sand tiger sharks, these dives deliver big animals, historic wrecks, and adrenaline-filled exploration.

We’ll be diving from Morehead City, which is conveniently located and has access to wrecks famous for sand tiger sightings.

Why dive North Carolina?

Fed by the warm, clear waters of the Gulf Stream, North Carolina offers surprisingly comfortable temperatures and often excellent visibility, earning it top ratings from dive publications and seasoned scuba enthusiasts alike.

Known as the “Graveyard of the Atlantic,” these waters have claimed more than 2,000 ships since records began in 1526. Today, those wrecks form thriving artificial reefs and some of the most exciting dive sites in North America. Olympus Dive Center knows the best wrecks to dive off the coast of North Carolina!

The Diving

Minimum dive certification/experience:  As most dive sites are between 90-120 feet, Advanced Open Water Diver and Enriched Air/Nitrox are required. Deep Diver certification preferred (we can do it on the trip).

• A minimum of 25 logged dives. 

• At least 2 dives to 70 feet or greater.

• At least 2 logged boat ocean dives.

• At least 2 open water dives in the last 12 months.

• Minimum age for Full Day Dive Trip is 15 years of age.

Please note that these minimum dive requirements are set by the NC dive shop, not by us, so if you have any questions or doubts about whether you qualify, please contact them directly!

Wreck Diving

Explore an incredible collection of historic wrecks, many of them World War II casualties, vessels fallen prey to Hitler's U-boat fleet. You may also encounter:

• German submarines

• A World War I gunboat

• An 18th-century schooner

• Tankers, cargo ships, and British trawlers

• A luxury liner from the early 1900s

• Purpose-sunk wrecks now teeming with life

These dives are dramatic, atmospheric, and deeply immersive, perfect for wreck enthusiasts.

Sharks

North Carolina is fortunate to be a breeding ground for the Atlantic sand tiger shark. These impressive yet docile sharks are a highlight of the trip and are often seen in large numbers.

Growing from 4 to over 8 feet long, sand tigers are famous for their toothy grins and relaxed demeanor, making for unforgettable encounters and epic photo opportunities. Divers can also take the AWARE Shark Conservation Specialty during the trip to learn more about these fascinating animals and how to protect them.

Marine life

The wrecks are home to a diverse and abundant variety of marine life. Rays the size of small cars, Loggerhead turtles nestled into the corner of a wreck taking 40 winks, octopus, eels, and massive schools of fish! Wrecks provide vital habitat for numerous species of fish, coral, and invertebrate marine life. You can get so much more out of these dives when you take the AWARE Fish ID Specialty with a focus on the South Atlantic States on the trip!

Macro

All the. Small things. The wrecks contain loads of little critters, and a keen eye will find you numerous small treasures, including Seaweed Blennies, Sea Spiders, Nudibranchs, juvenile tropicals, and that is just to get you started. Bring your Macro lenses and/or magnifying glass and prepare to be delighted with the intricate beauty of these little critters.  

Travel & Lodging

Transportation and accommodations are not included in the price of the trip. However, we’re happy to help arrange carpools! We’ll be heading down on Thursday, August 6th, and returning on Monday, August 10th.

Here are options for accommodation. When you call, ask for the Olympus Dive Center rate:

• Olympus Dive Center’s The Dive Lodge ( $45 per person/night + tax; 2 blocks from the dive shop)

• Bask Hotel, 252-499-9200 ($101 per room/night + tax; across the street from the dive shop; breakfast included)

• Hampton Inn, 252-240-2300 ($159 per room/night including tax; 3 miles from the dive shop; breakfast included)

• Holiday Inn, 252-247-5001 ($139 per room/night + tax; 5 miles from the dive shop; breakfast included)

• Palm Suites - Atlantic Beach, 252-247-6400 ($139.20 per room/night + tax; 3 miles from the dive shop; kitchenette)

• Crystal Coast Oceanfront Hotel, 252-359-9001 ($189 per room/night + tax; 9 miles from the dive shop; on the beach)

Check out the full list of options on Olympus's website.

Upon cancellation of a reservation for any reason, the refund of the deposit and payments made or due will be contingent upon Blue Planet reselling the participant's reservation. Any refund may also be subject to a cancellation fee of $250 and payment of any non-refundable fees imposed by the tour company, dive operator or any other contractor associated with the trip. 

Dive accident insurance is required for all divers on this trip. We strongly recommend travel insurance to protect your vacation investment. Contact us if you need more information. 

Arrive in Morehead City and check in at the dive shop. We'll get together for dinner and relax!

Each day kicks off early with a two-tank boat dive, heading offshore to some of North Carolina’s most legendary wrecks.

After returning to shore in the afternoon, there’s time to rest, recharge, and relive the dives before gearing up for the next day.

Evenings offer the chance to keep the adventure going with group dinners, where stories are swapped, photos are shared, and anticipation builds for the dives ahead.

Some divers head home after diving on Monday. Or you can plan to return Tuesday to allow for a relaxed and comfortable drive.