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Map of U-85 (wreck)
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U-85 (wreck)

North Carolina, United States
AOW suggestedOpen-Atlantic offshore site27–34 m (90–110 ft) depthBoat entry5mm wetsuit typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

U-85 (wreck) at a glance

U-85 (wreck) is an advanced boat dive site in North Carolina, United States with depths of 27.4–33.5 m (90–110 ft). Typically most favorable Jun · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Black sea bass, Greater amberjack, and Great barracuda. Recent reports put the water around 18°C (65°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

No window today· next: tomorrow 7:00–18:00 · favorable & moderate

Forecast for this hour · 20:00 · run 8 h ago
2.5 m (8.2 ft)waves — about two and a half meters expected (waves — about eight feet expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 18°C · seasonal avg 21°C ( · Forecast 65°F · seasonal avg 70°F)

Site hazards: Open-Atlantic offshore site

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Lightest wind: Fri
SunNo window

2.7 m waves · 18 kn wind (8.9 ft waves · 18 kn wind)

Mon7:00–12:00 moderate, 12:00–18:00 favorable

2.1 m waves · 14 kn wind (6.7 ft waves · 14 kn wind)

Tue7:00–18:00 favorable

1.4 m waves · 12 kn wind (4.5 ft waves · 12 kn wind)

Wed7:00–18:00 favorable

1.5 m waves · 13 kn wind (4.9 ft waves · 13 kn wind)

Thu7:00–18:00 favorable

1.2 m waves · 10 kn wind (3.9 ft waves · 10 kn wind)

Fri7:00–18:00 favorable

1.0 m waves · 4 kn wind (3.1 ft waves · 4 kn wind)

Sat7:00–12:00 moderate, 12:00–18:00 favorable

0.8 m waves · 17 kn wind (2.6 ft waves · 17 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 5:50 · Sunrise 6:16 · Sunset 17:12 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 4.7 km from site · updated 25 Oct, 12:26 GMT-5

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near U-85 (wreck)

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, Greater amberjack, Oyster toadfish
Best time: May-October; calmest seas and warmest water June-September. Winter diving rare due to weather.

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, 19% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 13°C (55°F), waves have typically been 2.1 m (6.7 ft), wind has typically been 23 knots
  2. February, 7% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 11°C (52°F), waves have typically been 2.1 m (6.8 ft), wind has typically been 22 knots
  3. March, 14% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 12°C (54°F), waves have typically been 2.2 m (7.2 ft), wind has typically been 23 knots
  4. April, 30% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 14°C (58°F), waves have typically been 1.8 m (6.0 ft), wind has typically been 21 knots
  5. May, 42% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 18°C (64°F), waves have typically been 1.6 m (5.2 ft), wind has typically been 18 knots
  6. June, 68% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 23°C (73°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.1 ft), wind has typically been 16 knots, historically most favorable
  7. July, 58% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 28°C (82°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (4.1 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  8. August, 51% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 26°C (79°F), waves have typically been 1.6 m (5.3 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  9. September, 32% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 24°C (75°F), waves have typically been 2.1 m (6.9 ft), wind has typically been 18 knots
  10. October, 26% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 21°C (70°F), waves have typically been 2.1 m (6.9 ft), wind has typically been 19 knots
  11. November, 27% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 17°C (63°F), waves have typically been 1.8 m (6.0 ft), wind has typically been 21 knots
  12. December, 17% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 15°C (58°F), waves have typically been 2.1 m (6.8 ft), wind has typically been 22 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 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

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

No dive shops mapped within 25 km (16 mi). Know one? Add it to the map.

Data updated June 2026

Site details

U-85, a Type VIIB U-boat sunk by USS Roper on 14 April 1942, was the first German submarine lost off the US East Coast in WWII. The largely intact hull lies on its starboard side in about 90-110 ft of water 14 miles east of Oregon Inlet on the Outer Banks, with the four forward torpedo tubes exposed. It is a German war grave for the 46 crew lost and one of the most historic recreational wreck dives on the East Coast.

boatwreck

Open-Atlantic offshore site — variable Gulf Stream/Labrador current, surface chop, depth (90-110 ft), monofilament fishing line entanglement on wreck, live ordnance (torpedoes still visible in bow tubes), boat traffic. War grave - penetration and artifact removal prohibited.

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