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North Carolina's Crystal Coast -- Number One Dive Destination in United States

May 14, 2010

EMERALD ISLE • ATLANTIC BEACH • MOREHEAD CITY • BEAUFORT • CAPE LOOKOUT, N.C. – Noted as the “Graveyard of the Atlantic,” the Crystal Coast – North Carolina’s Southern Outer Banks, was recently ranked the no. 1 dive destination in the United States by Scuba Diving Magazine. With more than 2,000 shipwrecks lining the ocean’s floor, the Crystal Coast provides underwater history explorations and an abundance of captivating marine life beauty, while he warm, clear Gulf Stream waters allow comfortable diving.

Popular diving spots include a 300-year-old wreck, a German U-boat sunk by local forces in WWII and other battleships with captivating stories. The legend of infamous pirate, Blackbeard and his ship, the Queen Anne’s Revenge has been historically preserved in the warm waters of the Crystal Coast since 1718. Previously off-limits to the public, the state implemented “Dive Down” program allows 1,500 lucky recreational divers to view the remains of the ship from 2006 to 2011 -- a once in a lifetime diving experience. Another preserved wreck, the U-352, is a German submarine capsized by Ally forces on April 9, 1942. The Papoose, an American tanker, was torpedoed and sunk on March 3, 1942 and remains intact with a wide variety of aquatic life.

Although the temperate climate warms the waters year-round, summer remains optimal for diving on the Crystal Coast. Temperatures during May through October are warmest, with prime visibility. For those wishing to stay overnight, or make it a week-long diving expedition, the Crystal Coast has a variety of accommodations to fit every style and budget, from oceanfront mansions and waterfront cottages to intimate bed & breakfasts to full-service hotels:

•Bed & Breakfast - $145/night
•Oceanfront Cottage - $995/week
•Full Service Hotel - $169/night

Top-notch dive companies make the Crystal Coast experience memorable for leisure excursions or advanced diving. Olympus Dive Center, founded in 1975, began as a weekend charter business and now runs charters year-round, offering equipment, dive classes and a full service repair shop. Discovery Diving offers the complete diving experience of North Carolina, visiting shipwrecks as well as offshore ledges and various shore diving locations.

Dangling like a delicate strand of pearls off the coast of North Carolina, the favored Atlantic beach destination of generations represents one of the only remaining natural barrier island systems in the World. The Islands are strung together with 85 miles of silken coastline along the southern Outer Banks, 56 miles of which are in the protected Cape Lookout National Seashore. Miles of shimmering water reflects countless tiny suns during the day and shatters the moon into a thousand pieces at night. Lush maritime forests edge the silken coast like emerald jewels studding a royal crown. The barrier islands take a curious southward curve, blessing the Crystal Coast with beaches that course east and west making it possible to admire the dazzlingly bright sun rise to greet the day and then slip into the shimmering translucent blue waters in the evening during a spectacular North Carolina sunset.

To experience NORTH CAROLINA’S CRYSTAL COAST, call (800) 786-6962 or visit www.crystalcoastnc.org.

###

« Back to Releases

Year 2010
For More Media Information
Jamey Ivey
The Zimmerman Agency
(850) 668-2222
jivey@zimmerman.com


Press Kit Attractions At-a-Glance Accommodations Dining Saltwater Activities Island Hopping Festivals Releases Resources Image Library Archives Search Contact News @lerts Consumer Website	Releases North Carolina's Crystal Coast -- Number One Dive Destination in United States May 14, 2010 EMERALD ISLE • ATLANTIC BEACH • MOREHEAD CITY • BEAUFORT • CAPE LOOKOUT, N.C. – Noted as the “Graveyard of the Atlantic,” the Crystal Coast – North Carolina’s Southern Outer Banks, was recently ranked the no. 1 dive destination in the United States by Scuba Diving Magazine. With more than 2,000 shipwrecks lining the ocean’s floor, the Crystal Coast provides underwater history explorations and an abundance of captivating marine life beauty, while he warm, clear Gulf Stream waters allow comfortable diving. Popular diving spots include a 300-year-old wreck, a German U-boat sunk by local forces in WWII and other battleships with captivating stories. The legend of infamous pirate, Blackbeard and his ship, the Queen Anne’s Revenge has been historically preserved in the warm waters of the Crystal Coast since 1718. Previously off-limits to the public, the state implemented “Dive Down” program allows 1,500 lucky recreational divers to view the remains of the ship from 2006 to 2011 -- a once in a lifetime diving experience. Another preserved wreck, the U-352, is a German submarine capsized by Ally forces on April 9, 1942. The Papoose, an American tanker, was torpedoed and sunk on March 3, 1942 and remains intact with a wide variety of aquatic life. Although the temperate climate warms the waters year-round, summer remains optimal for diving on the Crystal Coast. Temperatures during May through October are warmest, with prime visibility. For those wishing to stay overnight, or make it a week-long diving expedition, the Crystal Coast has a variety of accommodations to fit every style and budget, from oceanfront mansions and waterfront cottages to intimate bed & breakfasts to full-service hotels: •Bed & Breakfast - $145/night •Oceanfront Cottage - $995/week •Full Service Hotel - $169/night Top-notch dive companies make the Crystal Coast experience memorable for leisure excursions or advanced diving. Olympus Dive Center, founded in 1975, began as a weekend charter business and now runs charters year-round, offering equipment, dive classes and a full service repair shop. Discovery Diving offers the complete diving experience of North Carolina, visiting shipwrecks as well as offshore ledges and various shore diving locations. Dangling like a delicate strand of pearls off the coast of North Carolina, the favored Atlantic beach destination of generations represents one of the only remaining natural barrier island systems in the World. The Islands are strung together with 85 miles of silken coastline along the southern Outer Banks, 56 miles of which are in the protected Cape Lookout National Seashore. Miles of shimmering water reflects countless tiny suns during the day and shatters the moon into a thousand pieces at night. Lush maritime forests edge the silken coast like emerald jewels studding a royal crown. The barrier islands take a curious southward curve, blessing the Crystal Coast with beaches that course east and west making it possible to admire the dazzlingly bright sun rise to greet the day and then slip into the shimmering translucent blue waters in the evening during a spectacular North Carolina sunset. To experience NORTH CAROLINA’S CRYSTAL COAST, call (800) 786-6962 or visit www.crystalcoastnc.org. ### « Back to Releases
	Year 2010 For More Media Information Jamey Ivey The Zimmerman Agency (850) 668-2222 jivey@zimmerman.com