Top Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in South Carolina

Ready to check out the best sites in South Carolina for scuba diving, snorkeling, shore diving, free diving or other ocean activities? Zentacle has 60 dive sites, snorkel spots, beaches, and more. Discover hand-curated maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. No matter what you're looking for, you can find a diverse range of the best ocean activities in South Carolina to suit your needs.
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Lake Jacossee

#1 - Lake Jacossee

South Carolina, USA East

Unrated
(2)
In Salem
Cooper River

#2 - Cooper River

South Carolina, USA East

Unrated
(2)
See www.cla.sc.edu/sciaa/staff/amerc/CooperRiverTrail.htm -- Especially for fossil collectors. 80ft deep, 10ft viz, 40-80DegF

Comments from Ron Glock: If you have dived in the Cooper River, you need to dive the Clay Banks, as well, for 'whole' diving expedition. If you have a tooth from a prehistoric shark, PLEASE do not sell it as many have done. There are MANY Wooly mammoth molars there, as well as partial tusk(s). In Charleston
Lake Murray

#3 - Lake Murray

South Carolina, USA East

Unrated
(1)
In Columbia
Charleston Tug

#4 - Charleston Tug

Myrtle Beach, SC, United States

beginner
(1)
A largely intact tugboat 10 miles off the cost of myrtle beach. Plenty of barracuda and bait fish.
Lake Jocassee - The Wall

#5 - Lake Jocassee - The Wall

USA, South Carolina

beginner
(1)
State designated dive area, walkin from boat ramp, 2 platforms, a skeleton family, a sunk ski boat, tree forest and airplane parts. the lake was flooded in 1973 and a lodge and several buildings still stand at the bottom as well as a cemetery. Devil's Fork State Park
Charleston Nearshore Reef - Barge 2

#6 - Charleston Nearshore Reef - Barge 2

USA, South Carolina, Charleston

beginner
(1)
1 buoy marks the reef 2.5 nm from Charleston Harbor north jetty.
North Inlet Reef

#7 - North Inlet Reef

USA, South Carolina, Georgetown

beginner
(0)
9.6 nm from Winyah Bay, 1 buoy marks reef.
North Inlet Reef  - Steel Pup Tents

#8 - North Inlet Reef - Steel Pup Tents

USA, South Carolina, Georgetown

beginner
(0)
North Inlet Reef - Steel Pup Tents is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in USA, South Carolina, Georgetown which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.
Paradise Reef

#9 - Paradise Reef

USA, South Carolina, Little River and Myrtle Beach

beginner
(0)
3.2 nm from south jetty at Murrells Inlet and 2 buoys mark reef.
Kiawah Reef - Automobiles

#10 - Kiawah Reef - Automobiles

USA, South Carolina, Charleston

beginner
(0)
2 buoys mark reef, bearing 115�/6.5 nm from N. Edisto Inlet buoy "2NE."
Kiawah Reef - 200' Deck Barge

#11 - Kiawah Reef - 200' Deck Barge

USA, South Carolina, Charleston

beginner
(0)
2 buoys mark the reef 6.5 nm from N. Edisto Inlet buoy "2NE."
Paradise Reef - Concrete Reef Balls

#12 - Paradise Reef - Concrete Reef Balls

USA, South Carolina, Little River and Myrtle Beach

Unrated
(0)
3.2 nm from south jetty at Murrells Inlet.
Springmaid Pier Reef

#13 - Springmaid Pier Reef

USA, South Carolina, Little River and Myrtle Beach

beginner
(0)
Springmaid Pier Reef is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in USA, South Carolina, Little River and Myrtle Beach which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.
Charleston Nearshore Reef - Barge 1

#14 - Charleston Nearshore Reef - Barge 1

USA, South Carolina, Charleston

beginner
(0)
1 buoy marks the reef 2.5 nm from Charleston Harbor north jetty.
Charleston Nearshore Reef

#15 - Charleston Nearshore Reef

USA, South Carolina, Charleston

beginner
(0)
1 buoy marks the reef 2.5 nm from Charleston Harbor north jetty.
Charleston Nearshore Reef - 105' Barge

#16 - Charleston Nearshore Reef - 105' Barge

USA, South Carolina, Charleston

beginner
(0)
1 buoy marks the reef 2.5 nm from Charleston Harbor north jetty.
Charleston Nearshore Reef - Barge 3

#17 - Charleston Nearshore Reef - Barge 3

USA, South Carolina, Charleston

beginner
(0)
1 buoy marks the reef 2.5 nm from Charleston Harbor north jetty.
Kiawah Reef - 100' Deck Barge

#18 - Kiawah Reef - 100' Deck Barge

USA, South Carolina, Charleston

beginner
(0)
2 buoys mark the reef 6.5 nm from N. Edisto Inlet buoy "2NE."
North Edisto Nearshore

#19 - North Edisto Nearshore

USA, South Carolina, Edisto

beginner
(0)
1 buoy marks reef 1.5 nm from North Edisto channel buoy "2NE."
Whitewater Reef  - 60' Lash Barge

#20 - Whitewater Reef - 60' Lash Barge

USA, South Carolina, Beaufort

beginner
(0)
1 buoy marks the reef 8.5 nm from Port Royal sea buoy "2PR."
Kiawah Reef - North Buoy

#21 - Kiawah Reef - North Buoy

USA, South Carolina, Charleston

beginner
(0)
2 buoys mark reef 6.5 nm from N. Edisto Inlet buoy "2NE."
Charleston Nearshore Reef - Ballast Cans

#22 - Charleston Nearshore Reef - Ballast Cans

USA, South Carolina, Charleston

beginner
(0)
1 buoy marks the reef 2.5 nm from Charleston Harbor north jetty.
Kiawah Reef - Dry Dock

#23 - Kiawah Reef - Dry Dock

USA, South Carolina, Charleston

beginner
(0)
2 buoys mark the reef 6.5 nm from N. Edisto Inlet buoy "2NE."
Kiawah Reef - 100' Pusher Tug

#24 - Kiawah Reef - 100' Pusher Tug

USA, South Carolina, Charleston

beginner
(0)
2 buoys mark the reef 6.5 nm from N. Edisto Inlet buoy "2NE."
Kiawah Reef - 90' Tug (Coppedge)

#25 - Kiawah Reef - 90' Tug (Coppedge)

USA, South Carolina, Charleston

beginner
(0)
2 buoys mark the reef 6.5 nm from N. Edisto Inlet buoy "2NE."
Kiawah Reef - 110' and120' barges

#26 - Kiawah Reef - 110' and120' barges

USA, South Carolina, Charleston

beginner
(0)
2 buoys mark reef 6.5 nm from N. Edisto Inlet buoy "2NE."
Charleston Nearshore Reef - Missile Motor Cradles

#27 - Charleston Nearshore Reef - Missile Motor Cradles

USA, South Carolina, Charleston

beginner
(0)
1 buoy marks the reef 2.5 nm from Charleston Harbor north jetty.
Kiawah Reef - South Buoy

#28 - Kiawah Reef - South Buoy

USA, South Carolina, Charleston

beginner
(0)
2 buoys mark reef 6.5 nm from N. Edisto Inlet buoy "2NE."
Kiawah Reef - 260' Deck Barge

#29 - Kiawah Reef - 260' Deck Barge

USA, South Carolina, Charleston

beginner
(0)
Kiawah Reef - 260' Deck Barge is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in USA, South Carolina, Charleston which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.
Kiawah Reef - 62' Lash Barge

#30 - Kiawah Reef - 62' Lash Barge

USA, South Carolina, Charleston

beginner
(0)
2 buoys mark the reef 6.5 nm from N. Edisto Inlet buoy "2NE."
Kiawah Reef  - 437' Ship (Robison)

#31 - Kiawah Reef - 437' Ship (Robison)

USA, South Carolina, Charleston

beginner
(0)
2 buoys mark the reef 6.5 nm from N. Edisto Inlet buoy "2NE."
Kiawah Reef - 300' Hopper Barge

#32 - Kiawah Reef - 300' Hopper Barge

USA, South Carolina, Charleston

beginner
(0)
2 buoys mark the reef 6.5 nm from N. Edisto Inlet buoy "2NE."
Edisto Forty Reef - Army APCs 2

#33 - Edisto Forty Reef - Army APCs 2

USA, South Carolina, Edisto

beginner
(0)
1 buoy marks the reef 6.5 nm from North Edisto channel buoy "2NE."
Edisto Forty Reef

#34 - Edisto Forty Reef

USA, South Carolina, Edisto

beginner
(0)
1 buoy marks reef 6.5 nm from North Edisto channel buoy "2NE."
Edisto Forty Reef - Army APCs 1

#35 - Edisto Forty Reef - Army APCs 1

USA, South Carolina, Edisto

beginner
(0)
1 buoy marks the reef 6.5 nm from North Edisto channel buoy "2NE."
Fripp Island Reef - Barge 2

#36 - Fripp Island Reef - Barge 2

USA, South Carolina, Beaufort

beginner
(0)
1 buoy marks the reef 5.8 nm from Fripp Inlet.
Fripp Island Reef - Barge 1

#37 - Fripp Island Reef - Barge 1

USA, South Carolina, Beaufort

beginner
(0)
1 buoy marks the reef 5.8 nm from Fripp Inlet.
Parris Island Reef

#38 - Parris Island Reef

USA, South Carolina, Beaufort

beginner
(0)
1 buoy marks reef, located in Broad River between Parris Island and Daws Island.
Fripp Island Reef

#39 - Fripp Island Reef

USA, South Carolina, Beaufort

beginner
(0)
1 buoy marks the reef 5.8 nm from Fripp Inlet.
Fripp Island Reef - Concrete Reef Balls

#40 - Fripp Island Reef - Concrete Reef Balls

USA, South Carolina, Beaufort

beginner
(0)
1 buoy marks the reef 5.8 nm from Fripp Inlet.
Parris Island Reef - 40 ft Barge

#41 - Parris Island Reef - 40 ft Barge

USA, South Carolina, Beaufort

beginner
(0)
1 buoy marks reef, located in Broad River between Parris Island and Daws Island.
General Gordon Wreck

#42 - General Gordon Wreck

USA, South Carolina, Beaufort

beginner
(0)
Use caution at low tide. Marked by 1 buoy 2.0 nm from Port Royal Sound channel buoy "14."
Lowcountry Anglers' Reef

#43 - Lowcountry Anglers' Reef

USA, South Carolina, Charleston

beginner
(0)
Lowcountry Anglers' Reef is also known as Lowcountry Anglers Reef.
Whitewater Reef - Tanks 1

#44 - Whitewater Reef - Tanks 1

USA, South Carolina, Beaufort

beginner
(0)
1 buoy marks the reef 8.5 nm from Port Royal sea buoy "2PR."
Whitewater Reef - Tanks 2

#45 - Whitewater Reef - Tanks 2

USA, South Carolina, Beaufort

beginner
(0)
1 buoy marks the reef 8.5 nm from Port Royal sea buoy "2PR."
Fripp Island Drydock Wreck

#46 - Fripp Island Drydock Wreck

USA, South Carolina, Beaufort

beginner
(0)
Steel-hulled drydock section at 32°17.079' N / 80°24.967' W Marked by Coast Guard buoy 3.0 nm from Fripp Inlet.
Steel-hulled drydock section

#47 - Steel-hulled drydock section

USA, South Carolina, Beaufort

beginner
(0)
Marked by Coast Guard buoy 3.0 nm from Fripp Inlet.
Gaskins Bank Wreck

#48 - Gaskins Bank Wreck

USA, South Carolina, Beaufort

beginner
(0)
Scattered accumulation of railroad rails lost by large barge. Use caution at low tide. Wreck is unmarked 5.7 nm from Port Royal Sound channel buoy "5."
Lake Jocassee Boat Ramp

#49 - Lake Jocassee Boat Ramp

USA, South Carolina

beginner
(0)
Follow signs for access to the day-use, non-motorized boat ramp
Pumphouse

#50 - Pumphouse

USA, South Carolina

beginner
(0)
The pump house is located across the lake from Lake keowee Marina in Seneca, South Carolina. Its the old town of Seneca water treatment plant before they flooded the river to create the lake. Pumphouse is also known as Keowee Pumphouse.
Lake Jocassee - The Wall 2

#51 - Lake Jocassee - The Wall 2

USA, South Carolina

beginner
(0)
Lake Jocassee
Hot Hole

#52 - Hot Hole

USA, South Carolina

beginner
(0)
The Hot Hole is a cove on Lake Keowee where hot water comes out of the nuclear power plant; temperature is somewhere between about 68°F and 80°F. Access is by boat with a cost of $40.00 per person for a 2 tank dive.
130-183 Bridge

#53 - 130-183 Bridge

USA, South Carolina

beginner
(0)
130-183 Bridge is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in USA, South Carolina which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.
Coos River

#54 - Coos River

South Carolina, USA East

Unrated
(0)
Coos River, Charleston to Cape Argo there are two sites in the river 1 just outside boat basin reef marked by steel piling.. good fishing cabazon, ling, sole, etc.. 2 directly across the river from 1 submerged jetty good fishing both sites will occasionally give up a anchor of crab ring... 3 from Bassendorf Beach to Cape Argo good offshore reefs excellent marine life to see and plenty of fish. also have seen a 10" abalone taken there, rock scallops, sea lions. By foot in some areas, best by boat in calm water. Bad weather dive on sites 1 & 2.
Cooper River - Rice Mill

#55 - Cooper River - Rice Mill

USA, South Carolina, Charleston

intermediate
(0)
The Cooper River: His nickname is the "Black River" and offers divers the unique experience of searching the bottom of the river for giant megalodon fossilized shark teeth, whale fossils, mastodon fossils and many other fossils. There is also a great opportunity here for the treasure hunters searching for Indian artifacts, Colonial artifacts, antique bottles, Revolutionary & Civil War relics. Abundant wildlife you may see include american alligators, turtles, bald eagles, osprey, herons, egrets, jumping fish, dolphins, and otters. The river winds through fresh and salt water wetlands, immense historic rice fields that are now flooded, and banks with Live Oaks, Spanish moss, magnolias and much more. In addition you will see the man made ruins left behind from the booming 1700's and 1800's river trade and commerce. From the boat you also see modern day sites of interest such as grounds of Mepkin Abbey Monastery, and Durham Creek freshwater reservoir channel. River Condition: Visibility: This is not black water or "Braille" diving. It is like night diving, with good light you can see 1-12ft. Average is about 3 ft of visibility with a good light. Currents: None to ripping/raging Depth: average is 23-40 ft Bottom: Sand, clay, gravel, logs, holes, bank cut-outs, shipwrecks, marl Temperature: Varies with season, 45-90 ° F Divespot: It is a great spot to find small, medium and larger teeth.
Pawley's Island Reef

#56 - Pawley's Island Reef

USA, South Carolina, Georgetown

beginner
(0)
48 ft Tugboat, spud barges and reef material. This site holds large numbers of flounder. Pawley's Island Reef is also known as Pawleys Island Reef, 200 Reef Balls, tugboat, and landing craft.
North Inlet Reef - Concrete Reef Balls

#57 - North Inlet Reef - Concrete Reef Balls

USA, South Carolina, Georgetown

beginner
(0)
North Inlet Reef - Concrete Reef Balls is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in USA, South Carolina, Georgetown which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.
Cooper River - Moncks Corner

#58 - Cooper River - Moncks Corner

USA, South Carolina, Charleston

intermediate
(0)
The Cooper River: His nickname is the "Black River" and offers divers the unique experience of searching the bottom of the river for giant megalodon fossilized shark teeth, whale fossils, mastodon fossils and many other fossils. There is also a great opportunity here for the treasure hunters searching for Indian artifacts, Colonial artifacts, antique bottles, Revolutionary & Civil War relics. Abundant wildlife you may see include american alligators, turtles, bald eagles, osprey, herons, egrets, jumping fish, dolphins, and otters. The river winds through fresh and salt water wetlands, immense historic rice fields that are now flooded, and banks with Live Oaks, Spanish moss, magnolias and much more. In addition you will see the man made ruins left behind from the booming 1700's and 1800's river trade and commerce. From the boat you also see modern day sites of interest such as grounds of Mepkin Abbey Monastery, and Durham Creek freshwater reservoir channel. River Condition: Visibility: This is not black water or "Braille" diving. It is like night diving, with good light you can see 1-12ft. Average is about 3 ft of visibility with a good light. Currents: None to ripping/raging Depth: average is 23-40 ft Bottom: Sand, clay, gravel, logs, holes, bank cut-outs, shipwrecks, marl Temperature: Varies with season, 45-90 ° F The Dive Spot: Good place to find a lots of little shark teeth.
Little River Reef

#59 - Little River Reef

USA, South Carolina, Little River and Myrtle Beach

beginner
(0)
2.7 nm from south jetty at Little River Inlet. 1 buoy marks the reef.
Whitewater Reef

#60 - Whitewater Reef

USA, South Carolina, Beaufort

beginner
(0)
1 buoy marks the reef 8.5 nm from Port Royal sea buoy "2PR."