Learning to dive is relatively easy and well worth the time and effort. Underwater photographers also love this place because excellent visibility helps create fantastic footage. By submitting above, you agree to Scuba Diving's privacy policy. North Carolina is lucky to have three scuba-accessible World War II era U-boats beneath her waters. 5. I went scuba diving here on 7/10/2016. Abundant lobsters are also much larger off North Carolina than those typically found in the Caribbean. Nags Head is the most prominent diving destination on the Outer Banks, where you can find fascinating experiences. We do SCUBA in the Wilmington, NC area since 1988. For that reason, I have chosen to list five favorites that are only a small portion of what North Carolina waters have available. ellishugh: Avg Viz: 26-30ft/8-9m. We are constantly striving to improve our dive shop and our services. This dive site has an average rating of 4.18 out of 5 from 38 scuba divers. . In addition to the large number of shipwrecks gathering here, North Carolina boasts abundant marine life, from massive pelagics to small fish species. Anglo-Confederate vessels running the blockade with arms, ammunition and supplies maintained the connection with Europe and Great Britain until Fort Fisher at New Inlet, and Fort Caswell at the mouth of the Cape Fear River were captured only months before General Robert E. Lee was forced to surrender the Army of Northern Virginia on April 9, 1865. 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. The video you see is of the Playa and Hyde . Mrs. Greenhow is buried in Oakdale Cemetery in Wilmington. 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 natural forces that work on North Carolina's barrier islands are also working on our shipwrecks. Scuba Diving in Wilmington NC - YouTube 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. Lets get started! All divers should follow safe scuba-diving practices, never dive or swim alone, and always check weather/surf conditions in advance. . The Better Way to Dive North Carolina - Olympus Dive Center The trip consists of 4 days of epic diving from Morehead City, and 2 more days of diving, including one day of . Apeks has announced a new technical dive computer that is fully compatible with trimix, sidemount and CCR diving. Get PADI Open Water SCUBA certified or obtain your AOW certification and explore the beautifulworld below the Atlantic! Wilmington, NC, (910)392-4386 ellishugh: Avg Viz: 36-40ft/11-12m. Our experienced instructors will guide you through classroom sessions and open water dives to help you become a more competent and confident diver. 7041 Wrightsville Ave. Some popular activities during a dive trip include spearfishing, lobstering, seeing sand tiger sharks, and so on. . GO VIPJoin the 100,000+ subscribers getting exclusive content, private Q & As, awesome interviews and more. One even went through my legs! Looking for good Dive Sites around Wilmington NC | ScubaBoard 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. You should rent a car to travel to different dive sites on Crystal Coast. Each diving destination below has received positive feedback from previous divers, as well as is safe to dive. North Carolinas dive spots are suitable for divers of all levels; however, each location has its own attraction. Click here to order. 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.. Are you ready to take your scuba diving skills to the next level? Sand tiger sharks are the most common inhabitants of Aeolus. If you have ever had the pleasure of diving the North Carolina coast and its famous Graveyard of the Atlantic, you know that there are hundreds of wrecks that range from wooden-hulled sailing vessels to modern artificial wreck structures. . Ill appreciate it if you can share this article with other divers to motivate me to write more. Diving with Sand Tiger Sharks on the Hyde Wreck off the North - YouTube For the 10th year, Aquatic Safaris is proud to provide diving instruction and charters to UNCW MarineQuest camps. Visual Inspection Stickers Who Do You Trust? AquaPig: Avg Viz: 16-20ft/5-6m. Water Temp: 71-75F/22-24C. the 9 best affordable dive computers here. 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. No spam, ever. 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. 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. The Hyde. 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. 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. As an Amazon Associate I (DiveAeris.com) earn from qualifying purchases. Scuba Diving may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. Worth every penny. Best Places to Scuba Dive in North Carolina. The Hyde is one of the most popular wrecks in our area. Water Temp: 66-70F/19-21C. As a consequence, the New Inlet area off Fort Fisher is the location of a concentration of wrecked blockade runners and a union steamer loaded with 215 tons of powder that exploded to facilitate capturing Fort Fisher. Those vessels represent a unique era in American history. Wreck Diving in Wilmington, NC. ellishugh: Avg Viz: 21-25ft/6-8m. cbrubach: Avg Viz: 36-40ft/11-12m. The shallow waters of the shoals (only [], The Hyde and the Markham are twoof the most popular wrecks out of Wrightsville Beach. Each suggestion is attached with its website link as well as the most outstanding services it gives. Members login here. It is located about 700 yards off the beach in front . Specialty charters focused on Spearfishing and Megalodon Tooth Hunting. The experienced team, including boat captains and crew members, makes sure everyone is safe and comfortable during trips. You may find this exceptional diving destination after an hour of driving to the north of North Carolina. }); Scuba Diving Hawaiis Big Island: The Complete Divers Guide, Free parking, free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, breakfast, 470 Skyline Lodge Rd, Highlands, NC 28741, 10000 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28277, Free parking, free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, spa, 220 Greystone Ln, Lake Toxaway, NC 28747. In the confusion, the wreck of the W.E. Our experienced instructors will guide you through classroom sessions and open water dives to help you develop the knowledge and skills needed for each specialty. Coptrainer: Avg Viz: 11-15ft/3-5m. Spot A Shark USA Photography Diver Course Looking Back On Innovating Decompression Protocols to Expedite Water Exits, 5 Best Wreck Dives in North Carolinas Famous Graveyard of the Atlantic, http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/02/02047.htm. Fully grown Sand Tiger Sharks are frequent visitors during . NC shipwrecks in Google Maps. Explore the breathtaking dive sites of Bonaire with this incredible travel deal! Water Temp: 76-80F/24-27C. GreggS: Avg Viz: 41-50ft/12-15m. Whatever you call the Indra, she is a legendary wreck site in her own right. In addition, excellent light conditions and crystal-clear water facilitate underwater photography. 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. Whatever you call the Indra, she is a legendary wreck site in her own right. Aeolus is a ship that has been sunken intentionally to support the North Carolina artificial reef programs. Copyright 2023 - SDI | TDI | ERDI | PFI. Most shipwrecks in North Carolina require deep diving to explore, but USS Indra is different. The USS Indra is one of the wrecks more commonly visited by divers off the North Carolina coast and is perfect for any type of diver to get a first taste of what North Carolina coastal diving is all about. 1 EstellLee Place, Suite 201, Wilmington, NC 28401 View Member Topics. Copyright 2023 Scuba Diving. Changeable water temperature, rippling currents, and poor visibility make it hard to explore U-352. 12 Best Underwater Camera for Scuba Diving in 2023. Wilmington Historic Shipwreck District. For seasoned divers, they just need a drysuit to prevent heat loss during long dives. Check-out their website at www.aquaticsafaris.com. Water Temp: 71-75F/22-24C. The U-352 is one of the most famous wrecks off the North Carolina coast and she sits in 110 feet of water. Our boats run daily scuba diving charters to wrecks and ledges off Wrightsville Beach. Water Temp: 81-85F/27-29C. 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. A PADI Worldwide Company. The following section gives background information on diving in North Carolina, such as the best time to visit and how to travel. This area has lots of narrow inlets, small islands, and coastal rivers, while its barrier islands make it hard to access the mainland. They are extremely professional while setting you up for a successful and fun trip. Underwater Archaeology Branch. Aqua Cat is the Ultimate Luxury Liveaboard 8 Day/7 Night All Inclusive to the Exuma Cays, Bahamas Voted #1 Liveaboard in the World, Best Crew, Best Accommodations, Best, Under the jungle floor along the Yucatan Peninsula, thousands of limestone sinkholes and flooded cave systems--called Cenotes--await adventurous divers who don't mind. North Carolina Wreck Trek 2023 - East Coast Divers Photographing a German U-boat by NOAAs National Ocean Service Flickr: Photographing a German U-boat. Water Temp: 76-80F/24-27C.