The Graveyard of the Atlantic: Shipwrecks of the Outer Banks
See Maritime History from Above
The waters off the Outer Banks have claimed more than 3,000 ships over the centuries, earning this stretch of coastline a haunting nickname: The Graveyard of the Atlantic.
From our aerial tours, you can see some of these shipwrecks rising from the shallow waters – silent monuments to the treacherous seas that have defined this region.
Why So Many Wrecks?
The Outer Banks sits at a dangerous crossroads:
- The Gulf Stream – Warm water flowing north from the tropics
- The Labrador Current – Cold water flowing south from the Arctic
- Diamond Shoals – Shallow, shifting sandbars extending miles offshore
- Violent storms – Hurricanes, nor'easters, and sudden squalls
These forces have been wrecking ships since the earliest colonial voyages. Even modern vessels with GPS and weather forecasting occasionally fall victim to the Graveyard.
The Triangle Wrecks
One of the most fascinating sights from our air tours is the Triangle Wrecks – three shipwrecks lying close together in the shallow waters near the beach.
The Kyzikes (1927)
A Greek cargo ship that ran aground during a storm. Her rusting hull remains visible at low tide, a popular subject for photographers.
The Carl Gerhard (1929)
A German freighter that met her end on these same shoals. Parts of her structure still break the surface.
The Pocahontas (Unknown)
The oldest of the three, this wooden-hulled vessel's identity has been lost to time, though her timbers still occasionally appear beneath the waves.
Other Wrecks You Might See
Depending on conditions, our tours may reveal:
- Huron – A U.S. Navy ship lost in 1877 with 98 lives
- Metropolis – An 1878 wreck that killed nearly 100 people
- Oriental – A federal transport ship from 1862
- Numerous unnamed wrecks – Wooden ribs and metal hulls scattered along the coast
Best Viewing Conditions
Shipwrecks are most visible when:
- Water clarity is high – Usually after calm weather
- Tide is low – Exposes more of the wreckage
- Sun angle is right – Early morning and late afternoon provide best contrast
Our pilots know where to look and will point out wrecks as we fly over them.
A Living Museum
The Graveyard of the Atlantic isn't just history – it's an ongoing reminder of the sea's power. These wrecks tell stories of commerce, war, immigration, and human ambition.
From the air, you can see what the sailors couldn't: the full extent of the shoals, the pattern of the currents, and the narrow passage that so many ships failed to navigate.
See the Graveyard of the Atlantic from above. Book your tour today and witness maritime history.
OBX Airplanes – First Flight Airport, Manteo, NC – 252.473.2442