Atlantic Beach Bridge spans

Date sunk: 1987

Depth: 50ft

Inshore trip, 30 minute boat ride from the inlet

In 1928 with the rising popularity as a vacation spot, Atlantic Beach got its first bridge. What started out as a toll bridge funded by Carteret County investors eventually was sold to the state in 1936 and replaced in 1953. The new bridge was a swing bridge, which is a movable bridge that rotates along a vertical axis. As with all things progress marches on and the swing bridge was replaced by the 65’ tall bridge we have today connecting the Bogue Banks to Morehead City NC. What became of the old swing bridge you may ask??? It was sunk as part of the artificial reef project in 1987 shortly after the opening of the new bridge. It is a fairly short swim from the Ft. Fisher tug and can make a nice traverse. Be wary though, it can be easy to get discombobulated especially during low viz, so a wreck reel is recommended. We visit this site during our inshore trips.