challenging
1.5 days
Participants should be in good physical shape, comfortable with swimming from shore and managing strenuous dives.
Dive into the past with Roanoke Island Outfitters’ Wreck Diver Specialty course. Certified divers aged 15+ learn essential skills and safety while uncovering shipwrecks along North Carolina’s shore.
Learn to Dive Shipwrecks
Embark on an unforgettable adventure with the SDI Wreck Diver Specialty course, where you'll explore captivating shipwrecks off the beach. Perfect for certified divers aged 15 and up, this course combines thrilling dives with essential safety training, allowing you to uncover the mysteries of the past while respecting these historical treasures.
Person (Ages 15+): $295
Whether they are sunk on purpose, as an artificial reef for scuba divers, or lost as the result of an accident, wrecks are fascinating windows to the past. Ships, airplanes and even cars are fascinating to explore and teem with aquatic life. Each wreck dive offers a chance for discovery, potentially unlocking a mystery or spying something others have missed. The SDI Wreck Diver Specialty course is popular because it offers rewarding adventures while observing responsible wreck diving practices. If you’re at least 15 years old and have earned an Open Water certification or higher, you can enroll in the Wreck Diver Specialty course. This class includes 2 wreck dives off the beach.
There are many different types of wrecks, some of which are protected by laws that guard their historical and cultural significance. Your training starts by reviewing guidelines for researching and respecting wrecks. During four dives you’ll learn: • Safety considerations for navigating and safely exploring wrecks • Surveying and mapping a wreck • How to use a wreck to guide exploration • Techniques to avoid kicking up silt or disturbing the wreck and its inhabitants
Beach dives require swimming from shore; ensure you are comfortable with ocean entry and currents.
All diving equipment must be owned or purchased beforehand; rentals are not included in the course.
Water temperatures vary seasonally—consider wetsuits suitable for cooler conditions to stay comfortable during dives.
Avoid disturbing wreck silt or marine life to help preserve these fragile underwater sites.
The Outer Banks are home to numerous shipwrecks, including remnants from colonial trade vessels and modern shipping lanes.
Roanoke Island Outfitters emphasizes responsible diving practices to protect fragile wreck sites and their marine ecosystems.
Provides necessary thermal protection in cooler Outer Banks waters.
fall|winter|spring specific
Helps monitor depth, bottom time, and decompression limits during dives.
Useful for mapping wrecks and communicating underwater.
Ensures diver visibility to boats and aids with safe ascent.