Visit the North Carolina Coast for Shipwreck Diving Saltwater Fishing Boating or Surfing

Dive right in! The waters off the Crystal Coast are ranked as one of the world's top Wreck Diving locations by the readers and editors of Scuba Diving Magazine. Known as the "Graveyard of the Atlantic," the area has claimed more than 2,000 ships over the centuries.

Divers can explore wrecks ranging from The Papoose to the historic German U-boat 352. Visibility of 100 feet or more is common during the summer. Swim with the huge and ferocious-looking sand tiger sharks.



Divers come from all over to explore the underwater mysteries of Carteret County. Photo by Olympus Dive Center	Blue angelfish range from the North Carolina coast to the Florida Keys. Photo by Robert Purifoy

Local divers volunteer at the North Carolina Aquarium in Pine Knoll Shores. State-of-the-art communications technology allows them to talk to visitors, enhancing the learning experience for young and old alike. Photo by Scott Taylor Photography

Ready, set...fish! Sport fishing is nearly an $11 million-a-year industry in Carteret County. Surf fishing is a popular recreational pursuit for people of all ages. And when the "mullet blow" occurs in the fall of the year, you'll find the fishermen shoulder-to-shoulder on the piers (spots, drum, flounder and speckled trout are also biting). "Sometimes it's too cold to work, but it's never too cold to fish."

The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament is a rite of summer every June â€" in its 49th year in 2007. Anglers compete during the six-day event for prize money that exceeds $1.6 million. Many say the Big Rock is the Super Bowl of Fishing! The tournament benefits local charities, and the cumulative contributions now top $1.5 million. The record catch occurred in 2000, when a Blue Marlin weighed in at 831 pounds.



The Big Rock boats head out for a day of fishing. Photo provided by Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament	You never forget your "first catch." Photo by Gordon Churchill

Hop on your surfboard. Enjoy the thrill of catching the perfect wave for the ride of your life. Certified instructors with local surf shops can help you get started.



A surfer paddles his board into position. Photo by Marie Freeman	Elizabeth Basnight is a Carteret County surfer who mastered her wave-riding technique at the Crystal Coast. She now competes in international events, like this tournament in Nicaragua. Photo by Donald Stone

Enjoy the boating lifestyle. It's been said that there are more boats than people in Carteret County. The ocean, sounds, rivers and Intracoastal Waterway offer a full spectrum of experiences on the water for boats of all descriptions. Marinas are plentiful, and you can learn to sail or take a harbor cruise.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation's Ferry Division provides service from Cedar Island to Ocracoke and from Cherry Branch to Minnesott Beach, expanding visitors' access to points of interest throughout the region.

Photo by Scott Taylor Photography



Photo by Scott Taylor Photography	Photo by Dylan Ray, Carteret Co. News-Times

Get kayak-tive. Interest in kayaking is on the rise, and Carteret County is one of the best sea kayaking destinations in the United States, attracting enthusiasts from around the globe who want to enjoy the unsurpassed serene beauty of our wetlands, estuaries and warm water. There are several kayaking tour groups here, so experience an excellent getaway for an afternoon or for a few days.

Photo by Marie Freeman