Like the Caribsea, the visibility on the Atlas can sometimes be less than 20 feet, but when the blue water rolls in this wreck site is a showstopper. Therefore, I will be engaging my years of experience by discussing anything related to diving on this website. Water temp: 71-75F/22-24C. Water Temp: 76-80F/24-27C. Subscribe to our Mailing List, Aquatic Safaris SCUBA Center Wrecks: Hyde, Markham, Cassimir, Normannia, Lobster Wreck (Porta Allegra), City of Houston, John D. Gill; Olympus out of Morehead City. Click our Dive Local section for more info on dive sites, or visit these dive shops in the area to make it happen: discoverydiving.com and olympusdiving.com. Changeable water temperature, rippling currents, and poor visibility make it hard to explore U-352. Contact us today to learn more about our courses and schedule your next dive. Average viz: 11-15ft/3-5m. The natural forces that work on North Carolina's barrier islands are also working on our shipwrecks. Similarly, she is close to shore and easily accessible throughout the dive season. In addition, the maximum depth is only 60 feet, which means that it is ultra-safe even for kids. Abundant lobsters are also much larger off North Carolina than those typically found in the Caribbean. Members login here. Divers returned day after day to swim right amongst the sharks in what became known as "Club Aeolus," North Carolinas coolest shark lounge. When discovered in the 1980s it was a popular dive for those seeking to reclaim artifacts and take home a small piece of history. Normannia Water Temp: 71-75F/22-24C. Whatever you call the Indra, she is a legendary wreck site in her own right. Wreck Diving in Wilmington, NC. Very few have more experience in the region that dive boat captain and underwater photographer, Michael Gerken, and he shares his picks for the regions top 10 wreck dives, along with a few shots of his favorite local critters, in this gallery. Besides, you will have unforgettable experiences in your life when you see sand tiger sharks circling around the wrecks. olympusdiving.com/PhotoGallery/VideoGallery/tabid/115/Default.aspx. The following detailed reviews will provide you with valuable information about what to expect to see underwater, safety tips to consider, and who should dive there. Sitting with a 45-degree list to starboard and her conning tower intact, the U-352 fascinates scuba divers and strikes at their imagination when they get a glimpse of a this amazing piece of history. When diving here, it is common to spot huge groupers, enormous lobsters, and giant stingrays. Scuba Diving in Lanai Things You Should Know! Also, each location is linked to its website so that you can check whether there are available rooms or not. Please arrive at the dive shop at 6:00 am on the day of your dive trip for check-in. It was sunk by NC Division of Marine Fisheries in 1988, the same year the dive shop started. Today, as the Executive Director of the Institute for International Maritime Research, Inc., and owner of Tidewater Atlantic Research, Inc., Watts continues to research and investigate shipwrecks. AquaPig: Avg Viz: 16-20ft/5-6m. See what to wear under a wetsuit by checking my article: What to Wear Scuba Diving. The Civil War blockade runner Condor is one of 21 shipwrecks within the Cape Fear Civil War Shipwreck District listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. With inlets north and south of Bald Head Island, blockade runnersvessels engaged in maintaining the blockadehad the option to choose the best avenue of entering and departing the Cape Fear. Today, the ship sits in two distinct pieces about a mile apart some 38 nautical miles due south of Morehead City. Unique terrain in North Carolina is the main reason why more than 5000 shipwrecks rest here. ellishugh: Avg Viz: 36-40ft/11-12m. As an Amazon Associate I (DiveAeris.com) earn from qualifying purchases. In August, 2000, there was a confirmation of that suspicion plus a probable identification. The wrecks sit at depths from 60 foot recreational limits to depths beyond the reach of standard technical diving methods. . For that reason, I have chosen to list five favorites that are only a small portion of what North Carolina waters have available. Worth every penny. With every 6-day unlimited tank package, enjoy 5 boat dives for the price of 3 - a. Water temp: 71-75F/22-24C. North Carolina diving isnt limited to shipwrecks, however. Scuba Diving in Florida Keys: The Best Guide for Beginners, Scuba Diving in Venice, Florida The Completed Guide in 2023, Scuba Diving in Sarasota: The Unrivaled Guide in 2023, Scuba Diving in Destin: The Completed Guide in 2023. Stone is a small tug lying upright in 65ft of water 14 miles out of Masonboro Inlet and is about 10 miles of . Water Temp: 61-65F/16-18C. For certified open water divers looking to expand their skills, we offer the PADI Advanced Scuba Certification course. We offer a wide selection of PADI SCUBA diving courses, all of which are taught by experienced instructors. Average viz: 26-30ft/8-9m. The Normannia is a pleasant wreck to dive and often described as pretty. She is 312 feet long and was once a passenger ship and freighter. During the 2012 dive season, the Aeolus became home to approximately a dozen sand tiger sharks that took up residence inside the wreck. 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. Visual Inspection Stickers Who Do You Trust? Aquatic Safaris has specialized in SCUBA diving charters, instruction, gear sales, repair, and travel in Wilmington, NC since 1988. 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. With the Papoose resting nearly 36 nautical miles from shore, its popularity is increased due to the clear waters of the Gulf Stream; 100 foot of visibility is not unheard of on the Papoose aka W.E. Lying approximately 20 nautical miles south of Cape Hatteras, this 390-foot wreck functions as an artificial reef today. Looking to dive the Cassimir (11/11) and the Normannia (11/22) and needing a buddy. The marine life is thick on this wreck and an opportunity to dive it should not be missed. Just great stuff! The 255-foot ship was sunk June 21, 1918, 30 nautical miles south of Beaufort Inlet, after colliding with the SS_ Florida_ while sailing at night. How Deep Is the Graveyard of the Atlantic? If you want the fish he knows where they are. R. R. Stone Tug AR382 is a boat accessible salt water dive site, located in Wilmington, NC. Divers often experience them in large groups, and they are mostly found in and around the wreck. The marine life is thick on this wreck and an opportunity to dive it should not be missed. Always a good crew for SCUBA or spear, Chris and Brett have the best numbers around. To view more of Gerkens work, visit evolutionunderwater.com. Each one of these fascinating structures lay in blue waters with a feel and visual display much different from traditional tropical settings. The video below showcases how incredible scuba diving in Wilmington is. The average visibility is 36-40ft/11-12m. Water Temp: 76-80F/24-27C. 8 Atlas 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. Underwater photographers also love this place because excellent visibility helps create fantastic footage. By submitting above, you agree to Scuba Diving's privacy policy. This diving spot boasts rich sea life with hundreds of shipwrecks resting underwater. Join teens ages 13-17 on a summer adventure! Are you ready to take your scuba diving skills to the next level? I went scuba diving here on 5/17/2014. Sometimes, only the trained, experienced eye recognizes that a little hole or open door likely caused the vessels demise. D. from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, Watts joined the N.C. Division of Archives and History in 1972 as the state's first underwater archaeologist. Bathed by the clear, warm waters of the Gulf Stream, the coast of North Carolina offers some of the best scuba and wreck diving in the United States. Besides, Cape Hatteras is where the Gulf Streams warm currents and cold northern flows meet, which contributes to drawing countless pelagics to visit. Around the world, divers and dive professionals will tell you that different areas have some of the best diving available. Overcoming the ravages of time, USS Indra still remains intact to this day. Copyright 2023 - SDI | TDI | ERDI | PFI. It is reported that there are 12 individuals already spotted in these waters, giving you extraordinary shark dive trips. Replies: 0. Cant wait for my next trip with them!, My favorite dive charter! Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. Today, the ship sits in two distinct pieces about a mile apart some 38 nautical miles due south of Morehead City. Aquatic Safaris operates two USCG certified custom dive boats, a Sea Hawk Dive Master 36 (new in May 2014) and a Island Hopper Pro 48. This makes the vessel a true wreck sitting in roughly 120 feet of water. The added feature of the regular appearance of clear warm Gulf Stream water makes it an impressive dive. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The water surrounding this site is often warm and clear due to Gulf Stream currents and the structure still provides enough coverage to allow reprieve in the event that a current is present. On March 23, 1942, the 411-foot Naeco went down in a fiery mess at the hands of yet another German U-boat attack in World War II. Here, a sand tiger shark lurks inside the shipwreck off the coast of North Carolina. Temperature changes, currents, and visibility also make these dives a bit more difficult. However, during her maiden voyage, Condor ran aground on Caroline Shoals attempting to avoid the recent wreck of the blockade runner Night Hawk. They offered a variety of programs so whether you are already certified, or looking to start, MarineQuests scuba diving programs are for your children. Water Temp: 61-65F/16-18C. Required fields are marked *. I went scuba diving here on 10/2/2016. Lets get started! There are many different ledge systems where we find prehistoric Megalodon Teeth. Average viz: 16-20ft/5-6m. Dive into the world beneath the sea with MarineQuest scuba diving programs! The video below showcases how incredible scuba diving in Wilmington is. Both choices are available, and you are free to choose which one is more comfortable. It is a feature-rich, ADV style, wrap-around jacket that incorporates the innovative i3 inflation / deflation system. Hutton. Aquatic Safaris out of Wilmington. Hi, I am Scott Maldonado, the founder of diveaeris.com. This dive site has an average rating of 4.18 out of 5 from 38 scuba divers. Dive into the earth to experience an exhilarating adventure. Chris and his crew will take you to exactly where you need to go to get the most out of your dive trip. At a depth of 110 feet, Aeolus is broken into three major pieces due to the storms severe impacts. You just need to dive down 30 feet under the sea and see the ship. Shipwrecks along the NC coast are managed by the N.C. In honor of Earth Day, here's a roundup of marine animals that help us fight climate change and help the entire planet. Bycontinuing to use our site you agree to ourprivacy policy. GreggS: Avg Viz: 26-30ft/8-9m. 2022 "Top 10 Dives & Projects" beldridg; I went scuba diving here on 7/3/2019. In addition, they can wear scuba gloves, dive booties, hoods, and so on for additional warmth. Today, it is illegal to take artifacts from the Schurz and most are content to see the beautiful reef system this wreck site has become. Fully grown Sand Tiger Sharks are frequent visitors during . Water Temp: 71-75F/22-24C. Aquatic Safaris SCUBA Center 7041 Wrightsville Ave, STE A Wilmington, NC (910)392-4386 diver@aquaticsafaris.com. Or did you miss some essential details in the article? During the 2012 dive season, the Aeolus became home to approximately a dozen sand tiger sharks that took up residence inside the wreck. How Many Calories Do You Burn Scuba Diving? Many of these lists often include dive sites off the coast of North Carolina. In many cases, the shipwrecks are the end result of the most extreme of those natural forces, while in other instances, the . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Jared0425. In the confusion, the wreck of the W.E. Scuba Diving in Maui: The Complete Guide for Beginners. Water Temp: 71-75F/22-24C. The maximum depth on the Megalodon Ledges is between 90 and 105ft, [], Formerlya U.S. Coastguard Frying Pan Light Station, the toweris a lighthouse situated at the end of the Frying Pan Shoals, 45 miles south of Wrightsville Beach N.C. For centuries, the often-treacherous waters off the Outer Banks of North Carolina have claimed hundreds of seagoing vessels.