Dive Sites Around Nags Head

[Bluwaterbrew84]

Can anyone help me create a list of good dive sites around the Nags Head area for novice divers?

I am getting back into diving and just completed a refresher course. I last dove around 2005 and have around 20 dives under my belt. I will be diving with my girlfriend who I would also consider a novice although she has more experience than me. She has been diving for less than 2 years and has around 35 dives under her belt.

I would prefer sites in less than 100' of water for now. Also, areas known for good visibility. Everything that I dove in the past was out of Beaufort NC. I am not as familiar with dives sites in the northern part of the state.

The reason for diving in the Nags Head area rather than the Beaufort area is because I have a free place to stay there.

Thanks for any help!

 

[sconser]

Give Pam a call at Roanoke Island Outfitters in Manteo. They do guided shore dives in Kill Devil Hills a few days each week.

 

[seadweller]

Enjoy your shore dive ! Don't forget to take in some of the local food and beverage .
OBX brewery . Awful Arthurs , and the Jolly Roger !
Cheers
Sea Dwellers

 

[Cixelsyd]

I second the RIO recommendation. We vacation every year in Southern Shores/Duck and they are my go to now. I'll be diving with them again next week. There are plenty of good wrecks, both from the shore and from the boat.

 

[Bluwaterbrew84]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I will check into them.

 

[AustinV]

A third endorsement for Roanoke Island Outfitters here. Did a few shore dives with them a few weeks ago while in Nags Head, great experience with Pam and Sarah (second name may be incorrect, but I think it was Sarah).

Did the Triangle Wrecks and the wreck of the Huron. Triangle Wrecks had amazing visibility the day we went, saw a ton of wildlife on that wreck. Could be related to the beach nourishment somehow, not sure.

Another interesting dive if you're in nags head - while technically not open water - is in the Manteo Aquarium. They will allow divers in the large tank they have there. I did it and it was a pretty neat experience. Some sand tigers and nurse sharks in there, a few big hogfish, etc. I enjoyed it.

 

[Bluwaterbrew84]

Does anyone have any other dive shops that the would recommend? ROI is booked up for Saturday. We may possibly do a dive with them on Sunday if we can get enough people for the boat to go out.

 

[AustinV]

That's the only dive shop that end of the OBX if I remember correctly. There may be other charters that operate independently, but as far as shops go there was another one that shut down in the past few years. And then I believe there's one that operates out of Hatteras as well.

 

[Katch]

If you're comfortable with the Beaufort/Morehead City dives, then Nags Head will be fine. The more challenging stuff is south at Hatteras (they are amazing dives).
The U-85 is off Nags Head. Great dive with great history (1st U-boat we sank off the east coast in WWII). It's been about four years, but I remember it was fairly easy with no current. There was actually a reverse thermal - 10 degrees warmer on the wreck than the surface