AdvancedBoat entry

U-701 (wreck)

North Carolina, United States

AOW suggested31–37 m depthBoat entryRash guard or 2mm shorty typical

U-701 (wreck) at a glance

U-701 (wreck) is an advanced boat dive site in North Carolina, United States with depths of 30.5–36.6 m (100–120 ft). Typically most favorable Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Great barracuda, Sand tiger shark, and Black sea bass. Recent reports put the water around 29°C (85°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Marine model · graded 2h ago

0.9 mwaves — under a meter expected

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 29°C · seasonal avg 29°C

Site hazards: Strong and unpredictable currents where the Gulf Stream meets the Labrador Current off Diamond Shoals (imperceptible to very swift), depth 110-120 ft, remote location 20+ nm offshore, shifting sand that can bury the wreck, variable visibility (10-40 ft), entanglement. War grave - do not disturb.

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Fri

Fri13:00–19:00

Sat6:00–19:00

Sun6:00–19:00

Mon6:00–16:00

Tue6:00–9:00

Wed10:00–13:00

Thu6:00–19:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 5:15 · Sunrise 5:40 · Sunset 18:13

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 1.9 km from site · graded 2h 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.

Dived here today — did the forecast match?

What Divers Say

Known for: Black sea bass, Greater amberjack

Best time: Summer (June-September) on calm windows when currents allow; conditions frequently blow the site out.

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.

Jan9%24°C2.6 m
Feb4%24°C2.7 m
Mar3%24°C2.8 m
Apr13%24°C2.2 m
May20%26°C2.0 m
Jun41%28°C1.5 m
Jul47%29°C1.4 m
Aug40%30°C2.0 m
Sep16%29°C2.5 m
Oct12%28°C2.6 m
Nov10%26°C2.3 m
Dec4%25°C2.7 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 seen at this site

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

Species seen here

Fills & rentals nearby

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

Data updated June 2026

Site details

U-701, the Type VIIC U-boat that mined the Chesapeake approaches and sank the tanker William Rockefeller, was bombed by an Army A-29 Hudson on 7 July 1942 off Diamond Shoals. The wreck sits partially buried in sand in 110-120 ft of water about 20 nautical miles east of Cape Hatteras, where colliding currents make conditions notoriously changeable. Rediscovered by diver Uwe Lovas in 1989, it is an advanced, rarely dived German war grave - not the deep technical dive it is sometimes assumed to be.

boatwreck

Strong and unpredictable currents where the Gulf Stream meets the Labrador Current off Diamond Shoals (imperceptible to very swift), depth 110-120 ft, remote location 20+ nm offshore, shifting sand that can bury the wreck, variable visibility (10-40 ft), entanglement. War grave - do not disturb.

How deep is U-701 (wreck)?

U-701 (wreck) ranges from 30.5 to 36.6 metres deep (100–120 feet) — a deep dive at its limit. It is a saltwater site rated as advanced difficulty. Depths vary across the site, so plan your profile to your training and verify conditions locally.

Is U-701 (wreck) a shore dive or a boat dive?

U-701 (wreck) is a boat dive — access is by boat rather than from shore. The entry area is recorded as exposed to surge. No facilities are recorded at the site, and cell service is recorded as good. Entry details and parking notes, where known, are listed in the access section of this page.

Can beginners dive U-701 (wreck)?

U-701 (wreck) is rated as advanced difficulty, which may not suit new divers. Listed depths run from 30.5 to 36.6 metres (100–120 feet). Access is by boat. Consider your experience level, conditions, and local guidance before planning.

When is the best time to dive U-701 (wreck)?

Summer (June-September) on calm windows when currents allow; conditions frequently blow the site out. None; sea conditions effectively limit diving to summer weather windows. Conditions vary, so check the latest reports and forecasts on the dive site page before your trip.

What will I see at U-701 (wreck)?

Divers at U-701 (wreck) in United States commonly report sightings of Great barracuda, Sand tiger shark, Black sea bass, Atlantic spadefish, and Southern stingray. Black sea bass is recorded as common sightings, while Great barracuda, Sand tiger shark, Atlantic spadefish, and Southern stingray are reported only occasionally. Marine life varies by season and conditions—check the site page for recent diver observations and photos.

What hazards are recorded at U-701 (wreck)?

Reviews

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