North Carolina's Cape Hatteras protrudes from the shoreline like a magnet for shipwrecks; in fact, a number of ships have run aground here during storms and hurricanes. If you visit local museums, you'll get the opportunity to see some photos of huge ships stranded on the beach; for the most part, these ended up breaking up and settling just a short distance from shore. When you dive here, remember that collecting artifacts is forbidden by law; bring your camera to record your finds, and enjoy this fun and easy trip back into maritime history. Here are five fun wrecks to discover, just off the beach.
Oriental
If you look at an aerial photo of Pea Island, you might be able to see the Oriental wreck 150 yards offshore from the visitor's center. Also known as the Boiler Wreck, since the old steam engine protrudes through the surf, the wreck lies perpendicular to the beach, with her bow pointing toward shore, in just 15 to 20 feet of water. Great for diving or snorkeling, this wreck is at its best around high tide; small fishing boats do visit, so be sure to dive with a flag.
Huron
An incredible wreck located between mile markers 11 and 12 in the Nags Head area, near the Bladen Street beach access, the Huron is normally buoyed and is usually very easy to find. 175 feet long and built in the mid-1870's, this was one of the last American naval vessels to be built of iron rather than steel; in addition, she was equipped with sails to supplement her steam engines. Lost during a storm in 1877, taking 98 men with her, the Huron is about 750 feet from shore, in just 30 feet of water. Shifting sands cover and uncover various aspects of this wreck, so try diving the ship at different times of the year to see new features and enjoy the company of the manta rays, angelfish, sharks, groupers, turtles, and other marine life that visit the wrecks around Nags Head.
Explorer
Sitting right near the Huron offshore from Mile Post 12 in the Nags Head area, the Explorer still has her anchor affixed to her bow; like the Huron, she is affected by shifting sands. Located about 30 feet from the end of the pier, this ship is easy to find. Just line up with the second house north of the Bainbridge Street beach access, and as soon as you're lined up with that house's south gable, head north for a few yards and you should be right on top of the wreck. Maximum depth on this old tugboat, which was lost in 1919, is 20 feet.
Triangle Wrecks
This pair of wrecks, the Carl Gerhard, and the Kyzickes, both came ashore in the same location in Kill Devil Hills, near Mile Post 7. The tanker Kyzickes wrecked in December of 1927, and was sitting on the beach when, two years later, the Carl Gerhard slammed ashore during a storm, cutting the Kyzickes wreck in two. To get to these wrecks, start at the public beach access near 2nd Street, and then walk about 80 yards to the south. The wrecks cover a scattered area between 100 and 200 yards off the beach, and it takes a few dives to see everything. Maximum depth is about 20 feet.
Metropolis
A fantastic 120 foot freighter that was converted from its original use as a Federal gunboat called the Stars and Stripes; the Metropolis was lost in 1878. Even though she wrecked close to shore, 91 people lost their lives in the incident; in addition, 200 tons of stone and 500 tons of iron rails went down with the ship. The wreck is located about 100 yards off the beach, in just 15 to 20 feet of water; it is in Corolla, about 3 miles south of Currituck Beach. Sometimes called the Horsehead Wreck, the Metropolis is a favorite with local divers.
Whether you come to Cape Hatteras for the shore diving, or if you're doing boat dives too, you're sure to enjoy yourself immensely. Be prepared for cool water during spring and autumn, and during the warmest months, be ready for low visibility at about 5-10 feet. Finally, be sure you bring a good dive light and a sharp knife. A lot of these wrecks are favorite fishing holes so there are some entanglement hazards.