Radio Island Rock Jetty

Location

Radio Island is between the high rise bridge and the draw bridge that goes into Beaufort, NC. Radio Island Rock Jetty runs parallel to the beach at the end of Radio Island near the U.S. Navy's Landing Ramp. The Rock Jetty has a 45 degree slope that ends at the white sand of the channel. A chain link fence separates the U.S. Navy's Landing Ramp from the rest of the island. Going down to the bottom at the fence, the depth is 33 feet. Going back toward Beaufort toward the green day marker, the depth gets to 43 feet. Radio Island Rock Jetty should be dove on the slack tides, preferably high slack tide. Visibility averages 6 - 10 feet, but can be in the 15 - 20 foot range on the rare occasion, but can also be in the 3 - 5 foot range.
The water temperature during the summer months is in the low 80's. Even though it is a beach dive, tropical fish are present. Butterflyfish, sergeant majors, juvenile blue angelfish, juvenile queen angelfish, and juvenile french angelfish can be seen in the summer months. Colorful sponges can be seen growing on the rocks. Game fish, such as sea bass, flounder, sheepshead, and spadefish can be found there most of the year.
Since it is a shore dive, its location makes it ideal for Open Water, Advanced Open Water, and Rescue, and Specialty classes. Discovery Diving in Beaufort usually has classes going on there on the weekends and can transport your tanks and weights to the dive site. There is a parking lot for your vehicle, but you'll have to walk a quarter mile down the beach to reach the dive site.