Snorkeling in Nagshead?

[tooldzynr]

I am going to Nagshead in June and am looking for a place to take my 2 girls (age 9) snorkeling. I would prefer a cove or something on the sound side so they don't have to deal with the surf. I am willing to pay for an excursion thru a local dive shop but just some directions from one of the local to a nice spot would work as well.

Thanks

 

[fireflock]

Hi tooldzynr-

My guess would be that you will have a tough time finding a good snorkeling spot anywhere along the NC coast. If someone knows of one, I would love to check it out. In general, the vis is too poor to make it worthwhile.

Maybe your girls would enjoy a dolphin cruise or a trip to the aquarium at Manteo.

Have a great trip - with or without snorkeling.

 

[herman]

I agree, not much in the way of interesting snorkeling around Nags Head. There are several places a few miles south around Oregon Inlet in the sound that would meet the protected, calm requirements but a few shells and a crab or too would be about all that they might see. The biting insects can be brutal so take lots of heavy duty replent.
The aquarium is very nice however.

 

[ncscuba]

Nags Head has great scuba, but not much for snorkeling. The water is too deep, not much vis, and the ocean can get rough. As for the intercoastal, a lot of shallow water. Maybe some potential there.

 

[Tarheel Waterman]

In the Morehead area the Radio Island rock jetty has some impressive snorkeling. Go past the Radio Island marina and somewhere down there is a public beach access. The rock jetty is pretty long. It has lots of soft corals and fish, I didn't believe it till I actually saw it. I have seen several people dive here, but I have never tried this. Gotta be careful though, boat traffic can be bad because the channel is really close. Didn't bother us though. I have heard the rock jetty at cape lookout is AWESOME if you can catch it on a clam day when it is not covered with fisherman, but i've yet to try this one.

 

[ncscuba]

WOW! I didn't know that. I have seen this jetty before. I know sometimes it can get rough, but I will have to give it a try next time I go to Atlantic Beach. Is it safe to dive there?

 

[Tarheel Waterman]

I have only snorkeled there, but have seen many dive the area. I was told about the site by a Professor from the Institute of Marine Sciences in Morehead. They claim the rock jetty is an easy place for them to gather all sorts of organisms from sponges to bryozans to many other things. So I would assume it is safe to dive, it is done fairly often.