We are constantly striving to improve our dive shop and our services. . The Aeolus is another one of North Carolinas popular wrecks that was sunk as part of the artificial reef program and only a few hundred feet from the wreck of the Spar. Besides, you will have unforgettable experiences in your life when you see sand tiger sharks circling around the wrecks. Hyde is a boat accessible salt water dive site, located in Wilmington, NC. From historic shipwrecks to beautiful reefs and . We offer a wide selection of SCUBA Diving classes and certifications, and wreck dive charters available to schedule with our experienced crew. All divers should follow safe scuba-diving practices, never dive or swim alone, and always check weather/surf conditions in advance. Shipwrecks along the NC coast are managed by the N.C. Wreck Diving; 2 3. Bottom times are dictated by no-decompression limits. 12 Best Underwater Camera for Scuba Diving in 2023. Not all the wrecks of North Carolina met their end due to tragic events. Wrightsville Beach Diving is a premier SCUBA and freediving charter operation. In addition, offshore Cape Hatteras, cold waters from the north collide with the warm currents from Gulf Stream, leading to more storms and few good harbors to anchor. Our experienced instructors will guide you through classroom sessions and open water dives to help you become a more competent and confident diver. Despite an increased level of difficulty to visit, these wrecks have the benefit of experiencing fewer divers, making the sites less disturbed by human intervention, each year. Today, scuba divers and snorkelers can explore one of the best-preserved shipwrecks on the North Carolina coast where she came to rest, just off the beach in Fort Fisher, located at the southern . }); 5 Caribsea One of my personal favorites, the wreck of the Caribsea is one of those hit and miss dive sites. Average viz: 26-30ft/8-9m. Divers returned day after day to swim right amongst the sharks in what became known as "Club Aeolus," North Carolinas coolest shark lounge. The area truly earned the nickname Graveyard of the Atlantic, and it even boasts a museum of the same namein Hatteras. $('.av-instagram-follow').css('background-color', '#2d5c88'); Colorful sea fans, abundant marine life, dense schools of baitfish and the occasional shark keep divers returning year after year to this treasure trove of a dive site. The coastal waters surrounding Wilmington and its island beaches afford a bevy of shipwrecks that interpret the regions maritime heritage. The peak season to scuba dive in North Carolina is between May and October, while diving conditions here will be perfect from June to August. The ship is now located at a depth of 110 feet below the surface, which gives novice people a little difficulty in diving. First Wreck Dive!! Whatever you call the Indra, she is a legendary wreck site in her own right. Today, it is illegal to take artifacts from the shipwreck, and most scuba divers are content to see the beautiful reef system with colorful sea fans, abundant marine life, dense schools of baitfish and the occasional shark. Hutton. The wreck was designated an NC Heritage Dive Site in 2018 and is one of the best-preserved Civil War blockade runners in the US. The shipwrecks off of North Carolina are a unique and non-renewable resource that are in a constant state of change. Coptrainer: Avg Viz: 11-15ft/3-5m. AquaPig: Avg Viz: 16-20ft/5-6m. The USS Indra was once a landing craft repair ship that was sunk as an artificial reef. Cant wait for my next trip with them!, My favorite dive charter! Are you ready to take your scuba diving skills to the next level? With two lift bags, he and dive buddy Steve Lewis . She is easy to navigate with the bow, stern, and boilers somewhat intact; but time has caused the wreck to fall into itself to a large degree. Around the world, divers and dive professionals will tell you that different areas have some of the best diving available. Do you have any questions associated with scuba diving in North Carolina? During the early stages of WWII, German U-boats wreaked havoc along the Eastern seaboard sinking numerous Allied merchant ships. Proteus For half-a-century I have been professionally engaged in researching, locating, and investigating North Carolina's shipwrecks, many of which lie beneath the waters surrounding Wilmington and its island beaches. Dive shops all along ourcoast and inland across ourstate offer varied dive certification classes, as well as snorkeling for those not yet certified. In honor of Earth Day, here's a roundup of marine animals that help us fight climate change and help the entire planet. Thats because this area witnessed the highest density of shipwrecks in the US. Get 5 two-tank boat dives, but pay for only 3, with every 6-day unlimited tank package. Powerful Confederate fortifications protected those inlets and the blockade runners that passed through them. Water temp: 71-75F/22-24C. However, during her maiden voyage, Condor ran aground on Caroline Shoals attempting to avoid the recent wreck of the blockade runner Night Hawk. However, any reckless scuba divers who can reach here will receive historical experiences that they cannot have anywhere else around the world. scubadiving.com is part of PADI Media, a division of PADI Worldwide. Just great stuff! The most rewarding dives on Condor, like virtually all blockade runners, is closely related to the fortune of finding good visibility at the site as documented in images and videos provided by the N.C. office of State Archaeology. Good times. From the Outer Bankson the northern stretch of the North Carolina coast to Wilmingtonand beyond down the coast, heres an overview of scuba diving opportunities. The waters off our coast have an amazing abundance of species to hunt. Underwater Archaeology Branch. 6 Aeolus The Aeolus is another one of North Carolinas popular wrecks that was sunk as part of the artificial reef program and only a few hundred feet from the wreck of the Spar. designed for blockade-running and were readily identified by three distinctive raked funnels forward of the paddle wheels. Various charter groups offer trips to dive her on a regular basis and crowds from all over the planet come to partake in this experience. Sitting upside down in 120 feet of water, the 435-foot tanker is a favorite to many divers who come to see the plethora of marine life that includes the sand tiger sharks that are seen here with regularity. Since wreck-diving is for experienced divers, visitors are encouraged to contact local dive shops and outfitters. Co-owners and founders Matt and Pam Landrum are dive instructors (they offer a variety of classes), spearfishing specialists, kayakers and cyclists and they bring their passion for the Outer Banks and all of these pursuits and more to this full-service dive center. The Hyde. Wilmington, NC (910)392-4386 diver . With clear, warm Gulf Stream water being the standard conditions here, it appeals to those divers who dont mind the deeper depths. Click here to order. Another victim of a German U-boat attack, the 430-foot Atlas tanker was sunk on April 9, 1942, only a few miles from the wreck of the Caribsea in 115 feet of water. 7 Proteous No top ten list for North Carolina would be complete without including this gem of a wreck. The Hyde is one of the most popular wrecks in our area. Brass portholes, crew personal effects and weapons were some of the many items removed. On some occasions, divers have even reported sand tiger shark numbers in the hundreds on this site. To help you avoid staying in expensive hotels without enough amenities, I have searched the Internet and written down the following table. Visibility wasnt as good as my last dive on the Hyde, but still a great dive. In retaliation, the Icarus launched depth charges and sunk the U-352 in 110 feet of water, 28 nautical miles south of Morehead City. Water temp: 71-75F/22-24C. Wrecks: Papoose, Schurz, Aeolus, Spar, U-352 (at least once), Caribsea, Atlas; Under Pressure or Dive Hatteras (boat is the Lion's Paw) are the only folks out of Hatteras. In this article, I have thoroughly reviewed everything you should know before a dive trip. By now, you should have a full understanding of where to scuba dive in North Carolina. At a depth of 110 feet, Aeolus is broken into three major pieces due to the storms severe impacts. Even though this mystery has been solved, most scuba divers still refer to the Hutton as the Papoose. saw several Sand Tiger Sharks and some nice size Barracudas. The maximum depth is 81-90ft/25-27m. Most scuba diving activities in Crystal Coast are exploring shipwrecks as well as artificial reefs. This 400-foot wreck sits in 110 feet of water and was split in two during a powerful hurricane that swept through the region in the 1990s. After earning his Ph. Water Temp: 71-75F/22-24C. Underwater visibility is often 50 feet most of the time, but it can span up to 100 feet on good days. The U-352 is one of the most famous wrecks off the North Carolina coast and she sits in 110 feet of water. Spot A Shark USA Photography Diver Course Since the 1990s she has been visited by more divers probably then any other wreck off the Outer Banks. ga('send', 'event', 'TDI Instagram Follow Sidebar', 'click', 'TDI Instagram Follow Sidebar Click'); Today, wreck-loving scuba divers can reap the benefits on dozens of sites that are well preserved, accessible and packed with marine life, from thick schools of fish to scores of sand tiger sharks. Research projects include the USS Monitor, CSS Alabama, CSS Georgia and others. The Hyde is home to a huge variety of marine life and every dive brings the chance to see something new. In addition to these core courses, we also offer a range of PADI Specialty Diver Courses. In the confusion, the wreck of the W.E. Sand tiger sharks were roaming all over the place, and vis was great. Another long-time and equally beloved Crystal Coast dive operator, Olympus Dive Center also runs a wide range of charter trips out to the areas numerous wrecks. Besides, Cape Hatteras is where the Gulf Streams warm currents and cold northern flows meet, which contributes to drawing countless pelagics to visit. Aquatic Safaris out of Wilmington. The Aeolus is a wreck that was sunk off the North Carolina coast for the sake of developing an artificial reef system. Wilmington Historic Shipwreck District. Some popular activities during a dive trip include spearfishing, lobstering, seeing sand tiger sharks, and so on. I have also included a few frequently asked questions for your reference. During the early stages of WWII, German U-boats wreaked havoc along the Eastern seaboard sinking numerous Allied merchant ships. She is 338 feet long and is a common dive location visited by the various North Carolina charters. Economist Turned Conservationist Muditha Katuwawala Named May Sea Hero. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); LIKE WHAT YOURE READING? The most notable inhabitants to spot here are sand tiger sharks. Average viz: 11-15ft/3-5m. I went scuba diving on the Hyde on 10/2/16 with the Safaris I crew. Discovery Divings regular in-season weekend scuba diving charters are as popular as ever with veteran and new divers, as are half-day one-dive trips, weekday diving packages and specialty trips along the Crystal Coast. Why Are There So Many Sunken Ships in North Carolina? In addition, the maximum depth is only 60 feet, which means that it is ultra-safe even for kids. It is located about 700 yards off the beach in front . Hutton was misidentified by the United States Navy and thought to be the wreck of the Papoose.
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