The 'Crystal Coast' of the U.S. Has Clear Waters, World-class Shark Diving, and the 'Graveyard of the Atlantic'

"Tucked along the southern coast of North Carolina is an 85-mile stretch of barrier islands known as the Southern Outer Banks. Nicknamed the "Crystal Coast" for its exceptionally clear water and sparkling white sand beaches, the quiet coastline draws vacationers looking for wide-open stretches of sand and charming coastal towns. Yet the real intrigue lies offshore. Beneath the sunlit surface is the legendary "Graveyard of the Atlantic," an underwater world made up of over 5,000 shipwrecks scattered among colorful reefs and tropical fish."

"The shipwrecks are also a gathering place for sand tiger sharks; a six-to-ten-foot shark species known for their calm, slow-moving nature. Their permanent, tooth-baring grin may appear intimidating, but sand tigers sharks are considered among the safest sharks to encounter in the water. Thanks to the shipwrecks, which offer protection, the sand tiger sharks gather in great numbers, making the Crystal Coast one of the best places to see them in the world."

"Shark hot spots include the Caribsea, Papoose, Atlas, Spar, and Aeolus shipwrecks. To see the shipwrecks, including the first German U-boat sunk by the U.S. Coast Guard off the East Coast during World War II, you can book a scuba dive trip with one of the Crystal Coast's many outfitters. Reliable options include Olympus Dive Center in Morehead City, Discovery Diving Company, Inc. in Beaufort, and Encounter SCUBA in Atlantic Beach."

The Southern Outer Banks is an 85-mile barrier-island stretch nicknamed the "Crystal Coast" for exceptionally clear water and sparkling white sand beaches that attract visitors seeking wide-open sands and coastal towns. Offshore lies the "Graveyard of the Atlantic," containing over 5,000 shipwrecks among colorful reefs and tropical fish. Wrecks shelter large aggregations of sand tiger sharks, a calm six-to-ten-foot species often considered safe to encounter. Notable wreck sites include Caribsea, Papoose, Atlas, Spar, and Aeolus. Local outfitters run scuba trips to wrecks and U-boat sites. The region also offers protected beaches, paddle boarding, surfing, fishing, and visits to Cape Lookout National Seashore with wild horses and lighthouses.

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