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Map of United States lightship Diamond Shoal Wreck
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ExpertBoat entry

United States lightship Diamond Shoal Wreck

North Carolina, United States
Extreme depth 180-200 ft52–61 m (171–200 ft) depthBoat entry3mm wetsuit typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

United States lightship Diamond Shoal Wreck at a glance

United States lightship Diamond Shoal Wreck is an expert boat dive site in North Carolina, United States with depths of 52–61 m (171–200 ft). Typically most favorable Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Grouper, Amberjack, and Sand tiger shark. Recent reports put the water around 26°C (79°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Moderate window now· until 13:00

Forecast for this hour · 12:00 · run 11 h ago
2.5 m (8.3 ft)waves — about two and a half meters expected (waves — about eight feet expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 26°C · seasonal avg 25°C ( · Forecast 79°F · seasonal avg 77°F)

Site hazards: Extreme depth 180-200 ft · Strong Gulf Stream current at Diamond Shoals · Mandatory decompression

All 5 hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Mon11:00–13:00 moderate, 15:00–18:00 moderate

2.5 m waves · 20 kn wind (8.2 ft waves · 20 kn wind)

Tue7:00–18:00 favorable

1.6 m waves · 12 kn wind (5.3 ft waves · 12 kn wind)

Wed7:00–18:00 favorable

1.7 m waves · 17 kn wind (5.5 ft waves · 17 kn wind)

Thu7:00–18:00 favorable

1.6 m waves · 12 kn wind (5.1 ft waves · 12 kn wind)

Fri7:00–18:00 favorable

1.4 m waves · 10 kn wind (4.7 ft waves · 10 kn wind)

Sat7:00–18:00 favorable

1.2 m waves · 11 kn wind (3.8 ft waves · 11 kn wind)

Sun7:00–17:00 favorable, 17:00–18:00 moderate

1.5 m waves · 13 kn wind (4.9 ft waves · 13 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 5:51 · Sunrise 6:17 · Sunset 17:13 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 5.4 km from site · updated 26 Oct, 00:28 GMT-5

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near United States lightship Diamond Shoal 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: Grouper, Amberjack
Best time: Mid-summer (June-August) on rare calm, low-current windows.

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, 12% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 19°C (66°F), waves have typically been 2.1 m (6.8 ft), wind has typically been 25 knots
  2. February, 7% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 17°C (63°F), waves have typically been 2.2 m (7.1 ft), wind has typically been 24 knots
  3. March, 8% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 19°C (66°F), waves have typically been 2.3 m (7.5 ft), wind has typically been 25 knots
  4. April, 28% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 20°C (68°F), waves have typically been 1.9 m (6.2 ft), wind has typically been 21 knots
  5. May, 34% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 22°C (72°F), waves have typically been 1.7 m (5.6 ft), wind has typically been 20 knots
  6. June, 48% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 25°C (78°F), waves have typically been 1.4 m (4.6 ft), wind has typically been 18 knots
  7. July, 52% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 28°C (82°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.4 ft), wind has typically been 18 knots, historically most favorable
  8. August, 43% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 28°C (82°F), waves have typically been 1.7 m (5.6 ft), wind has typically been 18 knots
  9. September, 30% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (81°F), waves have typically been 2.1 m (6.9 ft), wind has typically been 20 knots
  10. October, 23% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 25°C (77°F), waves have typically been 2.1 m (6.8 ft), wind has typically been 20 knots
  11. November, 20% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 22°C (72°F), waves have typically been 1.9 m (6.2 ft), wind has typically been 22 knots
  12. December, 11% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 21°C (69°F), waves have typically been 2.2 m (7.2 ft), wind has typically been 24 knots

July 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

Lightship LV-71 marked the deadly Diamond Shoals for over 20 years before being shelled and sunk by U-140 on 6 August 1918 — the only U.S. lightship ever lost to enemy action; her entire crew survived. The 122-ft vessel now rests in 180-200 ft of water just off the shoals and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015. The depth, current and remoteness make this strictly a technical (trimix) dive visited only occasionally by expedition-level divers.

boatwreck

Extreme depth 180-200 ft — trimix territory

Strong Gulf Stream current at Diamond Shoals

Mandatory decompression

Remote, rough offshore location

Historic protected resource — do not disturb

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