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USS Tarpon Wreck

North Carolina, United States
AOW suggested35–43 m (115–141 ft) depthBoat entry3mm wetsuit typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

USS Tarpon Wreck at a glance

USS Tarpon Wreck is an advanced boat dive site in North Carolina, United States with depths of 35–43 m (115–141 ft). Typically most favorable Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Barracuda, Grouper, and Sand tiger shark. Recent reports put the water around 26°C (79°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

No window today· next: tomorrow 11:00–18:00 · moderate

Forecast for this hour · 23:00 · run 10 h ago
2.7 m (8.8 ft)waves — about two and a half meters expected (waves — about nine feet expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 26°C · seasonal avg 22°C ( · Forecast 79°F · seasonal avg 71°F)

Site hazards: Frequent current · Remote offshore location · No penetration

All 4 hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

SunNo window

3.2 m waves · 23 kn wind (10.4 ft waves · 23 kn wind)

Mon11:00–18:00 moderate

2.4 m waves · 19 kn wind (7.8 ft waves · 19 kn wind)

Tue7:00–18:00 favorable

1.5 m waves · 13 kn wind (4.8 ft waves · 13 kn wind)

Wed7:00–18:00 favorable

1.6 m waves · 19 kn wind (5.2 ft waves · 19 kn wind)

Thu7:00–18:00 favorable

1.5 m waves · 14 kn wind (5.0 ft waves · 14 kn wind)

Fri7:00–18:00 favorable

1.2 m waves · 9 kn wind (3.8 ft waves · 9 kn wind)

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

0.9 m waves · 18 kn wind (3.0 ft waves · 18 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 17:16 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 4.8 km from site · updated 25 Oct, 12:25 GMT-5

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near USS Tarpon 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: Sand tiger shark, Amberjack
Best time: June through September on calm-weather windows; visibility is usually very good under Gulf Stream influence.

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, 35% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 13°C (56°F), waves have typically been 1.4 m (4.7 ft), wind has typically been 21 knots
  2. February, 35% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 13°C (56°F), waves have typically been 1.5 m (4.8 ft), wind has typically been 21 knots
  3. March, 29% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 15°C (60°F), waves have typically been 1.6 m (5.2 ft), wind has typically been 22 knots
  4. April, 48% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 18°C (65°F), waves have typically been 1.4 m (4.6 ft), wind has typically been 20 knots
  5. May, 54% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 22°C (71°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.2 ft), wind has typically been 19 knots
  6. June, 70% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 25°C (77°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.6 ft), wind has typically been 18 knots
  7. July, 77% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (81°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.5 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots, historically most favorable
  8. August, 60% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (81°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.3 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  9. September, 51% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 26°C (78°F), waves have typically been 1.5 m (4.9 ft), wind has typically been 19 knots
  10. October, 52% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 22°C (71°F), waves have typically been 1.4 m (4.7 ft), wind has typically been 19 knots
  11. November, 44% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 19°C (66°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.3 ft), wind has typically been 20 knots
  12. December, 47% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 15°C (60°F), waves have typically been 1.5 m (5.0 ft), wind has typically been 21 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

The ex-USS Tarpon (SS-175) was a WWII fleet submarine that earned seven battle stars in the Pacific and was the first US submarine of the war to sink a German raider. Sold for scrap, she foundered under tow off Cape Hatteras on 26 August 1957. The hull sits upright with a slight port list in 140 ft of water with the decks at about 110-115 ft, usually patrolled by several sand tiger sharks, and is considered an advanced dive with good visibility but frequent current.

boatwreck

depth 115-140 ft at the edge of recreational limits

Frequent current

Remote offshore location

No penetration — confined submarine hull

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