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Boat entry

Jim Caudle Reef

South Carolina, United States
Open Water suggestedLow visibility (nearshore murky water)8–11 m (26–36 ft) depthBoat entry5mm wetsuit typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

Jim Caudle Reef at a glance

Jim Caudle Reef is a boat dive site in South Carolina, United States with depths of 8–11 m (26–36 ft). Typically most favorable Jun · from 2 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Black sea bass, Sheepshead, and King mackerel. Recent reports put the water around 21°C (69°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Moderate window now· until 19:00 · sunset 18:28

Forecast for this hour · 18:00 · run 16 h ago
1.6 m (5.3 ft)waves — about a meter and a half expected (waves — about five feet expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 21°C · seasonal avg 22°C ( · Forecast 69°F · seasonal avg 72°F)

Site hazards: Low visibility (nearshore murky water) · Heavy boat and fishing traffic · Fishing line and hooks on structures

All 3 hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Lightest wind: Tue
Sun12:00–19:00 moderate

1.6 m waves · 23 kn wind (5.1 ft waves · 23 kn wind)

Mon8:00–12:00 moderate, 12:00–19:00 favorable

1.1 m waves · 15 kn wind (3.5 ft waves · 15 kn wind)

Tue8:00–19:00 favorable

0.9 m waves · 5 kn wind (3.1 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Wed8:00–19:00 favorable

1.0 m waves · 9 kn wind (3.4 ft waves · 9 kn wind)

Thu8:00–19:00 favorable

1.0 m waves · 8 kn wind (3.4 ft waves · 8 kn wind)

Fri8:00–19:00 favorable

1.0 m waves · 6 kn wind (3.3 ft waves · 6 kn wind)

Sat8:00–19:00 favorable

1.0 m waves · 7 kn wind (3.3 ft waves · 7 kn wind)

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

Every forecast dive window each day, site-local time, from wave and wind forecasts. Numbers under each bar are daylight averages.

First light 7:01 · Sunrise 7:27 · Sunset 18:28 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 3.9 km from site · updated 25 Oct, 01:24 GMT-4

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Jim Caudle Reef

Forecast · NOAA tide model

Tide & slack timing

Loading tide predictions

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.

Dived here today — did the forecast match?

What Divers Say

Known for: Black sea bass, Sheepshead, Summer flounder
Best time: Summer months (May-September) for warmest water and best nearshore visibility.

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.

  1. January, 94% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 10°C (51°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.2 ft), wind has typically been 9 knots
  2. February, 86% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 12°C (53°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.5 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots
  3. March, 79% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 15°C (59°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.2 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots
  4. April, 88% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 19°C (67°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.5 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots
  5. May, 95% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 24°C (74°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.2 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots
  6. June, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (80°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.3 ft), wind has typically been 9 knots, historically most favorable
  7. July, 94% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 30°C (86°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.5 ft), wind has typically been 8 knots
  8. August, 89% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 29°C (84°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.6 ft), wind has typically been 8 knots
  9. September, 88% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 26°C (80°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.5 ft), wind has typically been 9 knots
  10. October, 89% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 22°C (72°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.6 ft), wind has typically been 8 knots
  11. November, 97% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 18°C (64°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.2 ft), wind has typically been 8 knots
  12. December, 87% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 13°C (55°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.6 ft), wind has typically been 9 knots

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

Based on 1 year of archive data. Bar height shows the share of days each month whose conditions have historically scored favorably.

Marine life seen at this site

Species noted at this site — not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

Rough labels: “Commonly seen” usually means two or more recorded sightings near this site in public dive logs (GBIF), “Occasionally seen” one; “Seasonal” and “Rarely seen” come from dive-guide research. Not a measured rate.

Fills & rentals nearby

Facts from OpenStreetMap, corrected by the community — listed by distance only. Details change; confirm with the shop.

Shop facts come from OpenStreetMap and community corrections, shown nearest first. PickADive lists facts and contacts only — no listing is sponsored or ranked.

Data updated July 2026

Site details

The Jim Caudle Reef (SC DNR site PA-02) is a large artificial reef about 2.5 miles off Little River Inlet near North Myrtle Beach, built from concrete cones, rubble, sunken barges, tanks and other retired military vehicles in roughly 30 ft of water. It is the largest and most visited artificial reef in South Carolina waters, popular with both anglers and divers. Marine life includes flounder, sheepshead, black sea bass and seasonal pelagics. Although filed under North Carolina, the reef sits just south of the state line in South Carolina waters.

boatreefwreck

Low visibility (nearshore murky water)

Heavy boat and fishing traffic

Fishing line and hooks on structures

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