With clear, warm Gulf Stream water being the standard conditions here, it appeals to those divers who dont mind the deeper depths. These unique conditions make you feel like scuba diving in West Palm Beach, South Florida. Our boats run daily scuba diving charters to wrecks and ledges off Wrightsville Beach. Most shipwrecks in North Carolina lie at a depth of 135 feet under the sea; thus, only advanced divers can be allowed to dive here. We are constantly striving to improve our dive shop and our services. Chris and his crew will take you to exactly where you need to go to get the most out of your dive trip. 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. Notorious for low visibility conditions as well as large schools of sand tiger sharks, scuba divers can find this to be a top shelf experience when the Gulf Stream's blue water pushes in on rare days, exposing up to 100 sand tiger sharks in one spot. Every trip Ive been on thus far has always left me with a huge smile and some treasure to bring home these guys really know whats up and its not possible to have a bad time! No top ten list for North Carolina would be complete without including this gem of a wreck. The ship is now located at a depth of 110 feet below the surface, which gives novice people a little difficulty in diving. Default; Distance; Rating; Name (A - Z) Sponsored Links. Water Temp: 81-85F/27-29C. The Hyde is home to a huge variety of marine life and every dive brings the chance to see something new. How Deep Is the Graveyard of the Atlantic? Located at about 120 feet under the sea, it is apparent that only advanced divers should join the dive. Thanks to my buddy Scott for showing me the ropes and Aquatic Safaris for the ride ou. You may find this exceptional diving destination after an hour of driving to the north of North Carolina. 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. Join teens ages 13-17 on a summer adventure! For the 10th year, Aquatic Safaris is proud to provide diving instruction and charters to UNCW MarineQuest camps. My first recommendation to anyone no matter what level of experience., Great time on the Ledge Tender with Chris doing a little spearfishing. Water Temp: 61-65F/16-18C. The 180-foot buoy tender sits in 110 feet of water with a strong list to port. For entry-level divers, USS Indra can satisfy their desires thanks to its shallow depths and unique position. If you have no idea where to dive in North Carolina, U-352 is the most sought-after wreck diving destination. The maximum depth is 81-90ft/25-27m. And because it rests nearly 36 nautical miles from shore in the clear waters of the Gulf Stream, 100 foot of visibility is not unheard of. The Hyde isintact and sits upright on the bottom with a lot to see. This makes the vessel a true wreck sitting in roughly 120 feet of water. Diving the North Carolina U-boats is a historical experience as well as an exciting experience. 9 USS Indra The wreck of the USS Indra has many humorous aliases, such as the Indra Maru after the famed Japanese wrecks of Truk Lagoon, or the Indra Doria after the Mount Everest of wreck dives, the_ Andrea Doria._ This 330-foot landing craft was sunk in 60 feet of water only 10 miles from Beaufort Inlet as part of the North Carolina artificial reef program. Exploring the John D. Gill off of Wilmington, NC, September 13th, 2014. We also offer a range of diving trips and excursions to help you put your new skills to use and explore the beautiful underwater world of Scuba Diving Wilmington, NC. Nags Head is the most prominent diving destination on the Outer Banks, where you can find fascinating experiences. Scientists believe the sand tiger sharks gather here during the summer months to mate. Lets dive into the history of the Condor, North Carolinas first Heritage Dive site: The steamer Condor is one of several blockade runners sunk off Fort Fisher, just south of Kure Beach, that have been located and investigated by underwater archaeologists. Visual Inspection Stickers Who Do You Trust? Both wrecks are normally bathed in blue water, with plenty of [], It's well known that North Carolina hosts world class spearfishing. Changeable water temperature, rippling currents, and poor visibility make it hard to explore U-352. In truth, the U-352 is the wreck that first draws many divers to the North Carolina coast. Whatever you call the Indra, she is a legendary wreck site in her own right. ellishugh: Avg Viz: 36-40ft/11-12m. Gordon P. Watts, Jr., has spent half-a-century working and teaching maritime history and underwater archaeology. The U-352 is one of the most famous wrecks off the North Carolina coast and she sits in 110 feet of water. Sunk in 1988, she is 215 ft hopper dredge resting at ~85 feet. We use cookies to improve our site and your experience. Besides, Cape Hatteras is where the Gulf Streams warm currents and cold northern flows meet, which contributes to drawing countless pelagics to visit. R. R. Stone Tug AR382 is a boat accessible salt water dive site, located in Wilmington, NC. Please use any of the social media buttons below. In June and July of 1983 the Underwater Archaeology Unit of the North Carolina Division of Archives and History spent two weeks documenting wrecked and abandoned vessels in the Cape Fear River adjacent to Wilmington, North Carolina. })(jQuery); Your session is about to expire. Conversely, the U-701 and the U-85 are more difficult to visit. I have also included a few frequently asked questions for your reference. The experienced team, including boat captains and crew members, makes sure everyone is safe and comfortable during trips. The maximum depth is 61-70ft/19-21m. Your email address will not be published. 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. It was sunk on March 13, 1942 by the German U-Boat U-158. The marine life is thick on this wreck and an opportunity to dive it should not be missed. U-352. 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. Thanks for reading! The R.R. In this article, I have thoroughly reviewed everything you should know before a dive trip. Consequently, the United States focused a considerable amount of Navy resources on enforcing the Union blockade off the inlets that provided access to the Cape Fear River. Aquatic Safaris out of Wilmington. The outer banks are home to a wealth of historic wrecks, artificial reefs, sand tiger sharks and clear blue seas! The prolific marine life that populates the wreck, like this school of Atlantic spadefish, share the attraction. Or did you miss some essential details in the article? This dive site has an average rating of 4.18 out of 5 from 38 scuba divers. Looking to dive the Cassimir (11/11) and the Normannia (11/22) and needing a buddy. The 255-foot ship, sunk in 1918, was a a popular dive for those seeking to reclaim artifacts and take home a small piece of history, including brass portholes, crew personal effects and weapons. When divers ask North Carolina natives what the best dive sites are off their coast, very rarely is the same answer provided. For anyone interested in diving into history, the Atlantic waters in this area provide one of the most unique concentrations of shipwrecks from 1861 to 1865 and can be accessed on a diving excursion. Sign up for Scuba Divings weekly email and never miss another story. Olympus is a full-service center, providing a wide range of dive boats, charters, instruction, gear rental and sales, air fills and more including great advice on diving the Graveyard of the Atlantic, thanks to thousands of dives by their experienced crew. Since the 1990s she has been visited by more divers probably then any other wreck off the Outer Banks. 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. . The site has little current, remains largely intact, and offers dive depths from 30 to 60 feet making the wreck a fantastic place for new divers or a place to complete training programs. The USS Indra was once a landing craft repair ship that was sunk as an artificial reef. For centuries, the often-treacherous waters off the Outer Banks of North Carolina have claimed hundreds of seagoing vessels. $('.av-instagram-follow').css('background-color', '#2d5c88'); This wreck, which sits in an average of 140 feet, is as far offshore as dive boats will venture. Category: Buddy Wanted. Aquatic Safaris SCUBA Center, Inc. She weathered the storm intact, though a tough little ship. She weathered the storm intact, though a tough little ship. Underwater Archaeology Branch. On May 9, 1942, the U-352 was cruising close to the North Carolina coast in search of enemy targets when she picked a fight with the wrong ship. Barracuda, shown here, are frequenly seen by scuba divers venturing into the wheelhouse of this popular North Carolina shipwreck. Water Temp: 66-70F/19-21C. olympusdiving.com/PhotoGallery/VideoGallery/tabid/115/Default.aspx. Discovery Diving's 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. All rights reserved. 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. ellishugh: Avg Viz: 26-30ft/8-9m. Get a first look at the first-ever Apeks dive computer. U-352 is the most famous wreck in the North Carolina underwater world, drawing thousands of scuba divers who flock here to explore every year. Our experienced and knowledgeable crew have been diving and exploring the waters off Southeastern North Carolina for many years, and now we want to show you all the best diving that Wrightsville Beach has to offer. Coptrainer: Avg Viz: 11-15ft/3-5m. Scuba Diving Wilmington . Average viz: 41-50ft/12-15m. North Carolina is lucky to have three scuba-accessible World War II era U-boats beneath her waters. If you want the fish he knows where they are. Scientists believe they aggregate here during the summer months to mate. Visibility wasnt as good as my last dive on the Hyde, but still a great dive. Dr. Watts has been a principal investigator on underwater archaeological research projects throughout the U.S., Mexico, Central America, the West Indies, Bahamas, Bermuda and France. Water Temp: 81-85F/27-29C. Sharkyjones: Avg Viz: 41-50ft/12-15m. For seasoned divers, they just need a drysuit to prevent heat loss during long dives. Today, the ship sits in two distinct pieces about a mile apart some 38 nautical miles due south of Morehead City. The video below showcases how incredible scuba diving in Wilmington is. Divers returned day after day to swim right amongst the sharks in what became known as "Club Aeolus," North Carolinas coolest shark lounge. 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. hogfish: Avg Viz: 51-60ft/16-18m. The only way to understand why it is different is to test the waters and give it a try. The marine life in Nags Head is abundant thanks to the large number of shipwrecks on the bottom. Average viz: 36-40ft/11-12m. Water temp: 81-85F/27-29C. USS Indra 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. Fully grown Sand Tiger Sharks are frequent visitors during warmer months of the year. Dive into the world beneath the sea with MarineQuest scuba diving programs! First time diving the Markham shipwreck off the coast of Wilmington, NC with Aquatic Safaris. Water Temp: 71-75F/22-24C. Normannia Water temp: 71-75F/22-24C. Because it is upright, navigation [], The John D. Gill, locally known as the Gill or WR4, is a casualty of WWII. The desire to find new and exciting places to dive often leads to the development of best dive location lists that get printed in various publications. I went scuba diving here on 5/17/2014. The 180-foot buoy tender sits in 110 feet of water with a strong list to port. 4. Click here to order. 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. ellishugh: Avg Viz: 61-70ft/19-21m. ellishugh: Avg Viz: 36-40ft/11-12m. I went scuba diving here on 5/14/2016. Water Temp: 71-75F/22-24C. Once a cable repair ship, the Aeolus is now a wreck famous for its abundance of sand tiger sharks. 7041 Wrightsville Ave, STE A Ready to dive these wrecks? Hyde is a boat accessible salt water dive site, located in Wilmington, NC. After earning his Ph. 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. 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. I went scuba diving here on 10/2/2016. Water temp: 66-70F/19-21C. Wilmington, NC (910)392-4386 diver . For centuries, the often-treacherous waters off the Outer Banks of North Carolina have claimed hundreds of seagoing vessels. Along with several popular dives right off the beach (including the Carl Gerhard, the Kyzickes, the Huron and more), Roanoke Island Dive Shop offers dive charters daily during the season, with dive sites including the German U-boat U-85, the Advance, the Jackson, the Bedloe, and the 65 and 102 Degree Towers. The ship is now located at a depth of 110 feet below the surface, which . The wreck of the USS Indra has many humorous aliases, such as the Indra Maru after the famed Japanese wrecks of Truk Lagoon, or the Indra Doria after the Mount Everest of wreck dives, the_ Andrea Doria._ This 330-foot landing craft was sunk in 60 feet of water only 10 miles from Beaufort Inlet as part of the North Carolina artificial reef program. With a variety of shipwrecks to explore just during a single dive, North Carolina gives you endless experiences you cannot forget in your lifetime. ellishugh: Avg Viz: 36-40ft/11-12m. Average viz: 16-20ft/5-6m. The Hyde is home to a huge variety of marine life and every dive brings the chance to see something new. Scuba Diving magazine Readers Choice Awards consistently rank North Carolina as a top spot for U.S. wreck-diving. New this year is a Rescue/ERF/O2 Provider camp. The Labrador current to theNorth, and the Gulfstream running from the south [], Ive been diving with these guys for a while now. 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. 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. }); Since the 1990s she has been visited by more divers probably then any other wreck off the Outer Banks. Mrs. Greenhow is buried in Oakdale Cemetery in Wilmington. Our experienced instructors will guide you through classroom sessions and open water dives to help you become a more competent and confident diver. Curb-side service is also available. Dove in June and will be there again this weekend. Thread starter packman; Start date May 5, 2009; . 5. ellishugh: Avg Viz: 21-25ft/6-8m. Moreover, because this dive spot is close to the shore, you can easily access it without a boat. Coptrainer: Avg Viz: 41-50ft/12-15m. Sri Lankan conservationists group mobilizes and educates volunteers to address marine environment concerns in his home country. Copyright 2023 - SDI | TDI | ERDI | PFI. AquaPig: Avg Viz: 16-20ft/5-6m. Therefore, rescuing or salvaging sunken ships is not an easy task. Aquatic Safaris operates daily trips from spring to fall out of Wrightsville Beach onboard two custom dive boats. Coptrainer - 9/04/2016 10:49 AM. Here are the best shipwrecks, including the U-352 and Papoose, for scuba . Proteus ScubaFLee: Avg Viz: 11-15ft/3-5m. In many cases, the shipwrecks are the end result of the most extreme of those natural forces, while in other instances, the . Each one of these fascinating structures lay in blue waters with a feel and visual display much different from traditional tropical settings.