Virginia Beach is known for the beach, boardwalk, great restaurants and the master jet base at Oceana but many folks bypass the area to go diving further south in the Carolinas, or just stop by while heading to other dive destinations. But if you give this lesser-known dive destination a chance, you’ll find there is much to discover, including many desirable wreck dives.

When driving across the 26-mile Chesapeake Bay bridge tunnel it is not uncommon to see a submarine, aircraft carrier, cargo ships or variety of other vessels heading into the port of Norfolk. Ships have been entering the area since Norfolk was settled in the 1600’s. Of course, what follows are disasters, collisions, or loss due to weather creating a scattering of wreck sites. During WWII, supply ships regularly left the area to help support the war effort filled with material. Tanks, trucks and ammunition were common loads among other needed supplies to support the war effort. Two such wreck sites are the John Morgan (Max depth 110’) and the Lillian Luchenbach (Max depth 105’), other wrecks include the Tiger and the Santore which both lay in shallower water (60’). All the sites mentioned were wire dragged to reduce the hazards to ships heading into the anchorage. Sites in the 100 foot plus range tend to have higher relief. Occasionally barges or out-of-service tugboats are purpose-sunk to create and extend the artificial reef system that was created to attract and sustain the local fish population.

Amid COVID-19, we have still been able to dive the region. A recent trip was set up to dive the clam dredge Gulf Hustler that rests in 70 feet of water. The two-hour boat trip was punctuated by a sea turtle sighting on the surface and don’t be surprised to see dolphins leaping and playing during the trip. Passing the Chesapeake light tower (a great macro photo dive site) alerted us to the close proximity of the dive site. The Grand Adventure anchored up once we reached our final destination. Sunk in 1974 in heavy seas, the wreck remains upright and with its hull. Since it is out of the channel there is no need to wire drag the wreck. Over time the wreck has broken down but the A-Frame still rises approx. 15 feet off the bottom.

At first look, the surface water was not impressive as storm runoff from the Chesapeake Bay is known to reduce visibility to 10-15 feet and a balmy 70 degrees. Upon descending, the visibility immediately cleared and at a depth of 50 feet even increased to 30 feet. The temperature dropped from a balmy 70 to the low 60’s and the slight current running across the wreck was manageable. Shipwrecks are known to attract marine life and this area is no exception. Lying between the Virginian and Carolinian Zones it is occasionally possible to spot a clawed Northern lobster and a barracuda on the same dive. The site is populated by blue mussels, sea anemones, hermit crabs, Northern lobster, soft and hard corals, and a variety of fish life. Occasionally some wrecks will attract sand tiger sharks. Schools of spadefish swim around the periphery and occasionally move close to the surface to the anchored boat.

Local weather factors into the conditions and a strong southerly breeze can bring pockets of warm Gulfstream water. This area of the coast can be influenced by Hurricanes, which can stop or slow local diving. It’s always best to call the local dive shops for visibility and sea conditions before planning a trip.

The area has much more to offer but after a dive, it’s always fun to walk the boardwalk and relive the adventure in a local eatery.

Make this dive happen:

Lynnhaven Dive Center
1413N. Great Neck Road
Virginia Beach VA 23454 757-481-7949

Chesapeake Dive Center
1725 Laskin Rd
Hilltop Plaza #515
Virginia Beach, VA 23454
(757) 422-3483

Grand Adventure Charters
3724 Historyland Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
757-374-0183