How deep is Caribsea?

Caribsea has a depth range of 21–27 metres (69–89 feet). Check the dive site page for current conditions and any depth-specific guidance before planning your dive.

Can beginners dive Caribsea?

Caribsea is rated as intermediate difficulty, which may not suit new divers. A Advanced Open Water recommended (Open Water with deep experience accepted by some operators); nitrox useful certification or equivalent is suggested. Consider your experience level, conditions, and local guidance before planning.

What will I see at Caribsea?

Divers at Caribsea in United States commonly report sightings of Sand tiger shark, Amberjack, Atlantic spadefish, Barracuda, and Southern stingray. Marine life varies by season and conditions—check the site page for recent diver observations and photos.

Add the first photo

IntermediateBoat entry

Caribsea

Q: When is the best time to dive Caribsea?

The best time to dive Caribsea is typically May through October when seas are calmest and Gulf Stream water pushes in; sand tiger aggregations are reliable in summer.. Conditions vary, so check the latest reports and forecasts on the dive site page before your trip.

North Carolina, United States

AOW suggestedOffshore currents21–27 m depthBoat entryRash guard or 2mm shorty typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

Caribsea at a glance

Caribsea is a intermediate boat dive site in North Carolina, United States with depths of 21–27 m (69–89 ft). Typically most favorable Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Sand tiger shark, Amberjack, and Atlantic spadefish. Recent reports put the water around 28°C (83°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Marine model · graded 4h ago

1.0 mwaves — about a meter expected

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 28°C · seasonal avg 28°C

Site hazards: Offshore currents · Variable visibility (20-100 ft) · Fishing line and hooks on wreck

All 4 hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Mon

Sun7:00–21:00

Mon7:00–21:00

Tue7:00–21:00

Wed7:00–21:00

Thu7:00–21:00

Fri7:00–21:00

Sat7:00–21:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 5:43 · Sunrise 6:11 · Sunset 20:12

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 2.9 km from site · graded 4h ago

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Forecast · NOAA tide model

Tide & slack timing

Recent diver reports

Dated firsthand observations from divers — not current conditions.

No diver reports for this site yet. — one dated observation helps every diver after you.

What Divers Say

Known for: Sand tiger shark, Amberjack, Atlantic spadefish

Best time: May through October when seas are calmest and Gulf Stream water pushes in; sand tiger aggregations are reliable in summer.

Based on community reviews and site data. Conditions vary — always verify before diving.

Best months, historically

What conditions have historically been typical at this site, month by month — not a forecast.

Jan28%13°C1.6 m
Feb31%14°C1.7 m
Mar26%15°C1.7 m
Apr43%18°C1.6 m
May48%22°C1.4 m
Jun62%25°C1.2 m
Jul69%28°C1.2 m
Aug53%28°C1.4 m
Sep44%26°C1.6 m
Oct41%23°C1.6 m
Nov42%19°C1.5 m
Dec35%16°C1.7 m

July hastypically had the largest share of favorable days here. Conditions vary year to year — this is historical context, not a forecast.

Based on 3 years of archive data. Bar height shows the share of days each month whose conditions have historically scored favorably.

Marine life recorded at this site, by month

Recorded observations — evidence of past sightings, not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

Sand tiger sharkCommonly seen
AmberjackCommonly seen
Atlantic spadefishCommonly seen
BarracudaCommonly seen
Southern stingrayOccasionally seen
Sea turtleOccasionally seen

Carcharias taurus recorded here Oct–Nov (4 records)
most recent 2014
Gymnothorax moringa recorded here Oct–Nov (4 records)
most recent 2014
Pomacanthus arcuatus recorded here Oct–Nov (4 records)
most recent 2014
Seriola fasciata recorded here Oct–Nov (4 records)
most recent 2014
Sphyraena barracuda recorded here Oct–Nov (4 records)
most recent 2014
Holacanthus bermudensis recorded here Oct–Nov (3 records)
most recent 2014
Sciaenops ocellatus recorded here Oct–Nov (3 records)
most recent 2014
Atolla wyvillei recorded here Oct (2 records)
most recent 2014

Counts are occurrence records near this site from public biodiversity datasets (GBIF), grouped by calendar month across all sampled years. Sightings vary — past records are context, not a prediction.

Fills & rentals nearby

No dive shops mapped within 25 km. Know one? Add it to the map.

Site details

The Caribsea was a 251-ft American freighter torpedoed by U-158 on 11 March 1942, now resting in about 90 ft of water on the east side of Cape Lookout Shoals. The site is mostly a low-lying debris field with a prominent stern section and propeller. It is one of North Carolina's most famous sand tiger shark dives, with aggregations that on good days can number in the dozens, and the sharks here tend to be larger than at deeper sites. Visibility ranges 20-100 ft, most commonly 30-60 ft.

boatwreck

Offshore currents

Variable visibility (20-100 ft)

Fishing line and hooks on wreck

Long boat ride / weather-dependent seas

Reviews

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