Photo credit: Michael Patrick O'Neill / Alamy
It may stink to be a sea captain in Hatteras, but for a diver, it can be pretty great. The area is known as the graveyard of the Atlantic, and the waters just off the coast have claimed many a vessel over the years. Dozens of wrecks lie on the bottom, including wooden vessels from the 19th century, steam freighters and even a German U-boat. You need master certification to dive to many of the wrecks but not all. Some of the boats are submerged just a few feet underwater and can be reached from the beach or on a beginner-level scuba dive: try the Outer Banks Dive Center or Nags Head Diving. Kindly forward 10% of whatever treasure you find, care of me. Dives: from $75, including gear