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Atlas
 Cape Lookout, NC
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Max Depth: 91-100ft/28-30m
Average Viz: 61-70ft/19-21m
Entry Type: Boat
Bottom Composition: Sand
Aquatic Life: Plenty To See
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Rating: 3.33 by 6 divers
Spring: 56-60°F/13-16°C
Summer: 76-80°F/24-27°C
Fall: 61-65°F/16-18°C
Winter: 50-55°F/10-13°C
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Atlas is a boat accessible salt water dive site, located in Cape Lookout, NC. This dive site has an average rating of 3.33 out of 5 from 6 scuba divers. The maximum depth is 91-100ft/28-30m. The average visibility is 61-70ft/19-21m.
Diving Depths: 80-125 ft.
Current: slight to moderate
Visibility: Usually less than 60 ft and sometimes far less; subject to the same wave action as the Caribsea.
Summer Temperature: mid 70s in summer with an occasional thermocline
Points of Interest: Intact bow and stern with high relief and deck areas throughout the wreck; partially covered boilers, engine; steering quadrant, rudder and propeller; Anchor windlass and port and starboard anchors
Fish/Animal Life: Grouper, amberjacks, spadefish, etc. Shovelnose lobster seem to be quite common on this wreck plus many of the same animals which inhabit the near by Caribsea.
Description: The Atlas is a large wreck which lies on sand mud bottom which is easily stirred up. The generally low, murky visibility makes it seem even larger than it is. The Atlas is fairly contiguous and sits on its keel. Beware, as the decks and hull have collapsed, gaps have developed betweeen hull sections. Generally the hull pieces are in line, but in low viz it sometimes takes a big leap of faith to believe they are actually there when crossing the gap. The main gap is between the hull section with the engine/boilers and the bow. There are many sections where the deck and hull sections are intact and the wreck can be dived on many levels. The extreme bow point used be a separate, detached piece. It has now fallen away and collapsed. The anchor windlass is upside down. The port anchor is fully exposed while the starboard anchor is buried. As would be expected, the viz is generally much better near the top of the wreck than near the bottom.