Morehead City, with its pristine beaches and picturesque Cape Lookout, might appear to be a quaint tourist town, but below the surface lies an addictive diving destination that offers world-class photographic ­opportunities. A three-hour drive east from the state capital Raleigh puts you within reach of historic wrecks with artifacts and abundant marine life—especially the sharks that outshine the rest.

Related: The Best Scuba Diving in the USA

IF YOU HAVE ONE DAY

Book a charter and explore some of the many nearby wrecks. Advanced and nitrox certifications are strongly recommended for maximizing opportunities to enjoy popular offshore destinations that lie deeper than 60 feet. Captains select sites visited based on sea conditions and which wrecks most guests on board prefer. The U-352, Papoose (W.E. Hutton) and Aeolus are the most requested sites. While the German U-boat is fantastic to dive in good visibility, sharks rarely frequent this site. Captains visit different locations each day of the week, so divers rarely dive the same site twice.

IF YOU HAVE TWO DAYS

You should try to book a charter for each day, but prepare photo equipment ahead of time in case weather forces a dive cancellation. Take your telephoto lenses to capture wild horses on the Rachel Carson Reserve or Shackleford Banks. If weather conditions are in your favor, plan a wide-angle adventure with sand tiger sharks circling wrecks and possibly dusky or lemon sharks midwater. Southern stingrays and shark teeth often rest in the sand on the edges of wrecks. These wrecks are several hundred feet long and cannot be seen in one dive. Find an interesting point near the anchor area to maximize time, and wait for sharks to acclimate to your presence.

IF YOU HAVE THREE DAYS

Tec divers can book special charters and take advantage of their training to enjoy the deep wrecks on decompression dives. Conditions favor the north or south for visibility, depending on the time of year. Northern wrecks such as the Caribsea might be better destinations later in the summer, but can be full of life anytime, and even include manta rays or tarpon. If you’re interested in citizen science, take photos of sand tiger sharks in profile to submit to the Spot a Shark USA program. Data shows the Atlas is a good shark destination, but they also frequent the Schurz, which has no entry points for penetration.

NEED TO KNOW

When to Go Book charters early before hurricane season ramps up in the fall.
Dive Conditions Thick wetsuits (5 mm to 7 mm) required with 72ºF to 78ºF water temps; visibility ranges from 5 to 100 feet.
Operators Learn to dive, rent equipment and book your charter through Olympus Dive Center.