About Snorkeling in North Carolina

North Carolina offers a few spots popular among snorkelers. Operators at local dive shops can provide the most current information regarding water visibility and wind conditions.

  1. Types

    • In North Carolina, you can either go snorkeling right from the beach or from a boat. Typically, the areas nearest to shore offer the least visibility. For offshore snorkeling, many dive shops offer snorkel boat tours to locations where visibility is considerably better.

    Features

    • North Carolina's Outer Banks are popular snorkel spots because of the clear waters and warm temperatures. The Gulf Stream keeps the coastal waters of North Carolina fairly comfortable. The Outer Banks are sandbar reefs popular among snorkelers, who are likely to see an array of tropical fish and even sandy tiger sharks.

    Geography

    • Wilmington is also a popular locations for snorkelers. The Wrightsville Beach jetty has good visibility, averaging about 15 feet. The numerous creeks and estuaries ensure an abundance of sea life. In the Outer Banks, the area off the coast of Nags Head is famous for ship wrecks and some are close to shore (250 yards from the local fishing pier), in shallow water. The Oregon Inlet is another popular spot to look for wrecks.

    Considerations

    • Talk to a guide familiar with the area to find good snorkeling spots. While visibility can sometimes be a problem, it is more dependant on when and where you go. The right wind and a rising tide can make normally murky sites much easier to see.

    Warning

    • Snorkeling spots around Wrightsville Beach's Banks Channel can be murky and hold strong currents. Snorkeling at the Oregon Inlet can also be challenging due to the current. Both locations are only recommended for strong swimmers.