Diving in Carolinian
Quick Facts
- • Entry types: Mostly shore entries
- • Expect: Varies by conditions visibility
- • Highlights: Discover Carolinian's dive spots
Explore the underwater wonders of Carolinian, ecoregion. This region features 28 documented dive spots, each offering unique underwater experiences. Whether you're seeking calm snorkeling bays, challenging freediving depths, or exciting scuba adventures, Carolinian has something for every underwater explorer. Browse detailed spot information, check current conditions from recent dive logs, and connect with the local diving community to make the most of your visit.
Regional Context
🏛️ Marine Hierarchy
🌍 Associated Countries
Countries in Carolinian (1)
Popular Spots in Carolinian (28)
Alexander Springs
Alexander Springs is situated in the Ocala National Forest, specifically within the Alexander Springs Recreation Area. This site provides opportunities for camping, picnicking, swimming, canoeing, and scuba diving for certified divers. The entry to the water is from the shore. The aquatic environment is home to various Florida spring fish species, including bluegill, bass, cichlids, catfish, and tilapia. Additionally, divers may encounter alligators, turtles, and, during the winter months, manatees.
American Quarry
American Quarry serves as the primary dive site for the Piedmont Diving Rescue Association. The quarry reaches a maximum depth of 65 feet and features various submerged objects for divers to explore. Marine life includes species such as perch, bass, catfish, and paddlefish, which were introduced around 2015 and have since increased in size.
Atlas
The wreck of the Atlas is located at a depth of 125 feet (38 meters) and is largely intact. The structure maintains a high degree of integrity, with many large sections remaining undamaged. The wreckage is concentrated in a small area, roughly the same size as the vessel before it sank. Marine life commonly observed at this site includes grouper, amberjacks, spadefish, and shovelnose lobster. Sandtiger sharks are also frequently seen in the vicinity.
Blue Stone Dive Resort
Blue Stone Dive Resort is situated in Thomasville, North Carolina, approximately 6 miles from Interstate 85. This dive facility features a comprehensive dive center with a modern air fill station that has a storage capacity of 80,000 cubic feet. Divers can access the site via shore entry. The underwater environment is home to a variety of freshwater species, including Bass, Blue Gill, Bream, Catfish, Japanese Koi, Carp, and Painted turtles, providing a diverse experience for divers.
Caribsea
Caribsea is located in 90 feet (27 meters) of water, approximately 15 miles northeast of Cape Lookout, North Carolina. The wreck is largely intact and rests on a flat sandy bottom on the continental shelf. Divers can expect to see large schools of spadefish and baitfish, along with amberjacks. The site is also frequented by stingrays and cobia, particularly during the summer months, and is known for the presence of numerous sand tiger sharks.
Clarks Hill, East Dam
Clarks Hill Lake, also known as Lake Strom Thurmond, is accessible from the shore and features a rocky and steep descent to the water. Divers should be aware of the environmental conditions, including temperature and depth variations. The lake is home to various freshwater species such as bluegill, bass, and catfish. It is important to observe these animals without disturbance and to avoid interfering with the natural environment, including rocks and other objects.
Cooper River South Carolina
The Cooper River in South Carolina provides divers with the opportunity to search for a variety of fossils, including megalodon shark teeth, whale fossils, and mastodon remains. Additionally, the site is known for the potential discovery of Indian and Colonial artifacts. The river is home to various species, including catfish and alligators, and divers may also encounter dolphins and shrimp. Birdlife is abundant along the riverbanks, adding to the ecological diversity of the area.
De Leon Springs
De Leon Springs is located in Volusia County, Florida, within the De Leon Springs State Park. This site features shallow depths beginning at 3 feet and reaching a maximum depth of 26 feet, making it suitable for beginner divers. The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including manatees, alligators, white-tailed deer, turtles, and otters. Birdwatchers can also observe species such as anhingas, egrets, hawks, limpkins, ospreys, and vultures. Entry to the site is from the shore.
Devil’s Fork State Park
Devil’s Fork State Park is located on Lake Jocassee, a mountain lake situated in the Blue Ridge foothills. Divers can expect visibility ranging from 5 to 30 feet, with varying depths and terrain. The lake supports a diverse range of aquatic life, including bass, catfish, bream, trout, and crayfish. In areas where divers frequent, bream may approach divers, often seeking food such as freshwater clams. The entry to the dive site is from the shore, making it accessible for divers looking to explore the underwater environment.
Frederick W. Day Wreck, Offshore Charleston, SC
The Frederick W. Day Wreck is situated approximately 10 miles offshore from Charleston Harbor. This four-masted wooden hulled schooner sank on September 17, 1914, while en route from New York to Wilmington, North Carolina, carrying a load of cement bags. Divers can explore the wreck at a maximum depth of 60 feet, with a relief of 25 feet. The site is accessible only by boat.
Hot Hole - Lake Keowee
Hot Hole in Lake Keowee is a dive site known for its warmer water temperatures during winter months, making it suitable for Open Water training. The site is primarily accessed from the shore. While the fish population is not abundant, divers can expect to see small bass, perch, and occasional rainbow trout in the area.
junkyard - South Carolina
The Junkyard dive site in South Carolina offers a unique experience for divers of all skill levels. The highlight of this location is a Chinese Junk that was imported years ago and has since settled here after several sinkings. In addition to the Junk, divers can explore various sunken boats, vending machines, a tic-tac-toe table, and a Halloween-themed cemetery. The site is rich in freshwater lake fish, including bream, bass, trout, catfish, and crayfish, along with an abundance of freshwater clams that serve as a food source for local fish. The entry to the site is from the shore, making it accessible for divers looking to explore this eclectic underwater landscape.
Lake Hickory Scuba Sail Boat
Lake Hickory Scuba Sail Boat offers divers a unique experience with various submerged objects, including two training platforms, a basketball hoop, a jet ski, and a sailboat. Additionally, several satellite dishes are present, all interconnected by ropes leading to the dive center's docks. Visibility at this site can fluctuate significantly, ranging from 2 feet to 15 feet throughout the year. Common fish species encountered here include Perch, Bream, Crappie, Large Mouth Bass, Striped Bass, and Catfish.
Lake Hollywood
Lake Hollywood is a freshwater dive site located in Ravenel, South Carolina. The lake spans approximately 1 mile in length and features a maximum depth of 30 feet in certain areas, while the majority of the lake maintains a depth of around 20 feet. Divers may encounter Dragon Fly Larva, which are known to gather around various cement statues that have been placed in the lake by Carolina Dive Locker. The site is accessible via shore entry.
Lake Jocasse
Lake Jocassee is a mountain lake located in South Carolina, known for its underwater features. Divers typically access the site by boat. The graveyard, situated at depths between 130 feet and 150 feet, contains several headstones that remain visible. The lake is home to various freshwater species, including spotted bass, catfish, bluegill, brown trout, and smallmouth bass, providing a diverse aquatic environment for divers.
Lake Jocassee
Lake Jocassee is a man-made reservoir located in western South Carolina. It reaches depths exceeding 360 feet and offers visibility that can range from 20 to over 50 feet, depending on the conditions. The site features designated ramps for divers, making it accessible for entry from the shore. This deep water lake is maintained by Duke Energy and provides a unique diving experience that attracts divers repeatedly.
Lake Keowee
Lake Keowee is an artificial reservoir situated in South Carolina, measuring approximately 26 miles in length and 3 miles in width, with an average depth of 54 feet. The lake is positioned around 800 feet above sea level. The underwater environment features a predominantly sloping rocky bottom interspersed with various man-made structures. Divers can encounter freshwater species such as bass, crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch throughout the area.
Lake Murray Irmo Side “Rhett’s Reef“
Rhett's Reef is situated at the northern end of the Lake Murray Dam within the Lake Murray Dam North Recreational Area, approximately 9 minutes from Wateree Dive Center. The designated entry point is via stairs located to the left upon entering the picnic area from the parking lot. Divers may encounter various species such as Striped bass, Largemouth bass, White perch, Bluegill, Sunfish, and catfish. Additionally, divers have placed several objects of interest in the area adjacent to the stairs, enhancing the dive experience.
Lake Norman Rock Quarry
Lake Norman Rock Quarry is a membership-owned PDRA site with a maximum depth of approximately 96 feet. The water temperature varies significantly, reaching around 82°F during the summer months and dropping to about 40°F in winter. This quarry is a protected area, which allows for a diverse range of fish species, including Paddle Fish, to thrive without the pressure of fishing activities. Divers can access the site from the shore.
Lake Scooba
Lake Scooba is a man-made body of water characterized by a bottom composed of clay and sand. Located approximately 20 minutes from the Scooba Shack, the lake experiences significant variations in visibility and temperature, influenced by seasonal weather changes. The maximum depth typically reaches around 35 feet. The lake's pH level is generally slightly below 7, which limits aquatic plant growth. However, it is home to species such as bass and bream, and divers may occasionally spot turtles as well as fish-eating birds like bald eagles and ospreys.
Papoose (Wreck)
The Papoose is a 412-foot tanker that was sunk by a torpedo from U-124 on March 18, 1942. This wreck lies upside down at a depth of 125 feet, providing a unique dive experience. The site is known for its marine life, particularly the presence of sand tiger sharks, which can often be observed around the wreck. The Papoose is a popular dive site in North Carolina, accessible from the shore.
Sailboat On Point
The Sailboat On Point features a 22-foot vessel positioned upright on a prominent point near Oxford Dam, located on the Alexander County side of Lake Hickory. The bow of the sailboat is oriented southward. Divers can expect to encounter species such as bass, bream, and catfish in the area. The bottom consists of silt, so it is advisable to maintain a few feet of distance from the substrate while exploring.
Sandbar
Sandbar is a popular site located in a shallow area of the lake, with depths reaching up to 3 feet. The bottom is primarily sandy, and there is minimal structure present. Marine life includes a few catfish, perch, and occasional sightings of largemouth bass. The site is accessible from the shore, making it convenient for divers and swimmers alike.
Snow Creek Truck
Snow Creek Truck features a submerged 2006 Nissan four-door pickup located at a depth of 7 meters (23 feet). The vehicle is embedded in silt, reaching up to the wheel wells, which can contribute to reduced visibility in the area. While marine life is limited, divers may encounter catfish and a few perch during their dive. The site is accessible via shore entry.
U 352
U 352 is a Type VIIC German U-boat located at a depth of 110 feet. The wreck measures 220 feet in length and 20 feet in breadth and is notable for its intact structure and marine life, including various fish species that inhabit the area. The U-boat sank on May 9, 1942, after being targeted by the USCGC Icarus, resulting in 33 survivors out of 48 crew members.
U-352 (Wreck)
The U-352 is a German submarine that was launched in 1941 and sank on May 9, 1942, after being attacked by depth charges from the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Icarus, located south of Morehead City, North Carolina. The wreck rests at a depth of approximately 35 meters and is positioned at a 45-degree angle to the starboard side. This site has transformed into an artificial reef, attracting a variety of marine life, particularly colorful ray-finned fish from the subfamily Anthiinae, as well as groupers and sea bass.
Underwater Statue Alley
Underwater Statue Alley is located approximately 15 minutes from Seneca, SC, near the Duke Power Plant, providing public access to Lake Jocassee. The dive site features depths ranging from 30 feet (9 meters) to 99 feet (30 meters). The underwater landscape includes a canyon with a current that can reach up to 2 knots due to water flow from the power station. Visibility can vary significantly, ranging from 30 feet (9 meters) to zero. Divers can observe several statues along the designated course, and the area is home to various freshwater fish species and notable rock formations.
USS Schurz (Wreck)
The USS Schurz is a 295-foot World War I cruiser located at a depth of 110 feet, with its highest point, the boilers, reaching approximately 100 feet. The wreck lies on a sandy bottom, often referred to locally as the 'World War I wreck.' Divers can observe steel ribs protruding from the sand, and beneath the deck plates, clips of rifle ammunition can still be found. Additionally, a deck gun is resting on the seabed nearby.