North Carolina

Wake County

Divers will travel far and wide to find the best diving. But those who live in the United States have plenty of great diving on their doorstep as well, with plentiful access to the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. From warm-water reefs to temperate seas, here are some of the top places to scuba dive in the United States.

United States

A quarry in Central NC, 15 feet of visibility in early spring and late fall. During the summer, visibilty decreases to about 10 feet or so.

Rolesville

Fantasy Lake

Private quary with fee access ($15 per day).

The park is located 10 miles outside of Raleigh , North Carolina - From Raleigh take 401 North ( Louisburg Road ) to Rolesville. Turn right on E. Young Street (turns into Rolesville Road ) Take E. Young Street past Century Farm Road to Quarry Road (Approx 1 mile.) Turn left on Quarry Road . Fantasy Lake Scuba Park is located 1.2 miles on your left. 

Fantasy Lake Scuba Park

JMR Quarry is a quarry at the former Blanche Prison site and offers excellent winter diving, Visibility over 35 feet and that is at depth. Water temp in the winter is 45.

Piedmont Diving and Rescue Association offers 3 inshore dive sites to its members. To join costs approximately $55.00 and plus the dues to an associated club of the organization, that can range from $5.00 and up. You get 365 day a year access to 3 rock quarries that can offer a very good diving experience.

James M. Robertson Quarry (Blanch Prison)

While many divers wouldn't look toward the Mid-Atlantic for a quality diving location, Lake Rawlings provides suprises for those seeking something different in their adventures.

With a maximum depth of 65 feet, warm water, and good visibility (30 to 60 feet), the lake has many wonders to explore.

From I-95, north of the Lake
(Richmond, VA; Maryland; Pennsylvania)

Take I-95 south to Exit 51, I-85 South (near Petersburg).

Take Exit 39 Rawlings and turn right towards the Nottoway Inn. 
After 0.2 miles, at the "T" intersection, turn left onto Route 1 South. 
After 1 mile, at the dive flag sign, turn right onto Rawlings Rd/Route 629. 
After 1.4 miles, turn right onto Quarry Lane (dirt road). 
Follow Quarry Lane straight to the main gate! 
From I-95, north of the Lake (alternate route)
We know traveling from Washington, DC or the Baltimore, MD area can be frustrating. Consider this alternate route.

From the outer beltway (I-495) take Route 5 South to US 301 South. 
Exit US 301 South at I-295 South. 
Exit I-295 South at Route 10 heading west. 
After 5 miles, take I-95 South. 
Take I-95 south to Exit 51, I-85 South (near Petersburg). 
Take Exit 39 Rawlings and turn right towards the Nottoway Inn. 
After 0.2 miles, at the "T" intersection, turn left onto Route 1 South. 
After 1 mile, at the dive flag sign, turn right onto Rawlings Rd/Route 629. 
After 1.4 miles, turn right onto Quarry Lane (dirt road). 
Follow Quarry Lane straight to the main gate! 



Lake Rawlings

Lake Phoenix (formerly known as Lake Rawlings) is a good sized beautiful lake that was at one time a granite quarry.  Depths up to 65 feet, and all sorts or neat stuff to explore such as two school buses, boats, and lots of special treats.

About 60 miles south of Richmond VA,Take I-95 south to Exit 51, I-85 South (near Petersburg).  Take Exit 39 Rawlings and turn right towards the Nottoway Inn.  After 0.2 miles, at the "T" intersection, turn left onto Route 1 South.  After 1 mile, at the dive flag sign, turn right onto Rawlings Rd/Route 629.  After 1.4 miles, turn right onto Quarry Lane (dirt road).  Follow Quarry Lane straight to the main gate!

Lake Phoenix Scuba Park

A tram takes you, your dive buddy and all your gear to the waters edge. You will find tables with unbrellas, and a changing house with shower. The shop is a full service, air,nitrox, and rental gear. Beneath the surface you'll find several smaller boats, a PT boat, helicopter, and two white thrones sitting side by side. I have been there twice and plan to return.The staff is friendly and this is a overall good place to get wet.



Blue Stone Dive Resort is also known as Blue Dolphin Resort.

Blue Stone Dive Resort

Tires: 48,700
Scattered throughout reef site; mostly buried

Concrete pipe: 850 pieces, 48" by 8'
34° 21.017' / 077° 36.183' 
34° 21.033' / 077° 36.200'

Concrete pipe: 140 tons
34° 20.781' / 077° 36.148'

Concrete pipe: 140 Tons
34° 20.776' / 077° 36.156' 
34° 20.774' / 077° 36.155' 
34° 20.779' / 077° 36.145'

23 reef balls, 1 "H" unit
34° 20.880' / 077° 36.220'

2.5 nm from the New Topsail Inlet sea buoy

AR-360 - Buoy is also known as Topsail Reef AR-360 - Buoy.

AR-360 - Buoy

Tires: 19,488
34° 36.467' / 077° 02.167'

Concrete pipe: 160 pieces
34° 36.583' / 077° 02.183'

Concrete pipe: 61 pieces
34° 36.444' / 077° 02.177'

40 cubic yard metal containers: 10 units
34° 36.475' / 077° 02.179' and 
34° 36.495 / 077° 02.185'

Train boxcars: 10
34° 36.467' / 077° 02.167' 
34° 36.425' / 077° 02.258'

Concrete pipe: 246 pieces
34° 36.583' / 077° 02.240' to 
34° 36.600' / 077° 02.183' and 
34° 36.617' / 077° 02.233' to 
34° 36.589' / 077° 02.238' and 
34° 36.467' / 077° 02.167'

Concrete pipe: 174 pieces Onslow Bay Sport Fishing Club
34° 36.677' / 077° 02.326' to 
34° 36.655' / 077° 02.342'

Concrete manhole sections: 78 pieces
34° 36.669' / 077° 02.055'

Concrete cones, risers and bases: approximately 75 pieces
10-Apr-07
340 36.669' / 0770 02.247' 
34° 36.666' / 077° 02.244' 
34° 36.675' / 077° 02.209'

Assorted concrete items: approximately 55
340 36.664' / 0770 02.150' 
34° 36.667' / 077° 02.100'

Concrete pipe: 158 tons
340 36.664' / 0770 02.281'

Concrete pipe: 118 pcs.
340 36.652' / 0770 02.235'

Concrete pipe: 125 pcs.
340 36.658' / 0770 02.191'

Concrete pipe: 125 pcs.
340 36.670' / 0770 02.155'

Concrete pipe: 128 pcs.
340 36.642' / 0770 02.114'

3.0 nm from Bogue Inlet sea buoy

AR-342 -  Buoy is also known as Onslow Bay Sport Fishing Club Reef AR-342 - Buoy.

AR-342 -  Buoy



6.2 nm from the Masonboro Inlet sea buoy

AR-364 - "SOUTHERN CRAFT 8" is also known as Billy Murrell Reef AR-364 - 65' tug "SOUTHERN CRAFT 8".

AR-364 - "SOUTHERN CRAFT 8"



6.2 nm from the Masonboro Inlet sea buoy

AR-364 - 65' tug "CAPTAIN JERRY" is also known as Billy Murrell Reef AR-364 - 65' tug "CAPTAIN JERRY".

AR-364 - 65' tug "CAPTAIN JERRY"

Tires: 76,873
Throughout Site

32 concrete pieces: 480 tons
100-300' S of buoy

Pre-fabricated fiberglass units: 
24 Domes; 18 Cubes

6.2 nm from the Masonboro Inlet sea buoy

AR-364 - Buoy is also known as Billy Murrell Reef AR-364 - Buoy.

AR-364 - Buoy

Carolina Dive Center

Burlington Dive Center

Lake Phoenix LLC

Tri-City Scuba

Aquatic Safaris

The Dive Shop

Discovery Diving Co., Inc.

Lake Norman SCUBA

Coastal Scuba LLC

Scuba Charlotte

Many great attractions, with a bus, two small aircraft (used for skydiving in the pass) 3 platforms at 30 feet for training. 1 dock, beach, and stairs for entering the water. Best in early spring and later fall when temps are about 70 degrees at the surface. Thermocline at about 38 feet, with drastic temperature differences. 

Max depth is 80 feet, but only in one single place (sinkhole, never been, but told its not worth it).

Overall, wonderful dive site!

Fantasy Lake

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Fantasy Lake