In the confusion, the wreck of the W.E. Members login here. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); LIKE WHAT YOURE READING? Scuba diving in North Carolina is not as chilly as in California because its average water temperature is around 82F/28C throughout the year. The Proteus is also a hot spot to encounter sand tiger sharks and various other types of marine life such as large sting rays. The prolific marine life that populates the wreck, like this school of Atlantic spadefish, share the attraction. With many diving sessions under my belt, I have transformed from just an experienced diver to a professional instructor. Though she is old and maintains a large debris field, she still has the appearance of a ship, and items that would be found aboard a luxury liner are still being recovered from this site. Water Temp: 66-70F/19-21C. diver@aquaticsafaris.com. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. ellishugh: Avg Viz: 36-40ft/11-12m. Aboard Condor was Confederate patriot and accomplished spy Rose O'Neal Greenhow who was drowned on October 1, 1864 attempting to reach shore at Fort Fisher when the ship's boat she was in capsized. 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. Water Temp: 76-80F/24-27C. Water temp: 81-85F/27-29C. 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. Watch Video: Scuba Diving in Wilmington, NC. Sand tiger sharks are the most common inhabitants of Aeolus. Depending on the conditions, possible dive sites (with shipwrecks, ledges and more) include the U-352 U-boat, the Caribsea, the Spar . 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. I went scuba diving here on 7/3/2019. Owner/Instructor Trainer Air Hogs Scuba, Garner, NC, Your email address will not be published. Wilmington Historic Shipwreck District | NC Archaeology - NCDCR The Hyde. Thirteen men perished in the attack while 33 survivors were picked up by the Icarus and retuned to Charleston where they spent the rest of the war as prisoners. 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. Members login here. designed for blockade-running and were readily identified by three distinctive raked funnels forward of the paddle wheels. Changeable water temperature, rippling currents, and poor visibility make it hard to explore U-352. Good vibes all around, always!, Five stars isnt enough. 1 U-352 Without a doubt, one of the biggest draws to the Outer Banks is the opportunity to dive on this historic World War II German U-boat. In truth, the U-352 is the wreck that first draws many divers to the North Carolina coast. 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. Divers and history buffs can learn more about the history of more dive-worthy blockade runners that sank off New Hanover Countys coastline. The following section gives background information on diving in North Carolina, such as the best time to visit and how to travel. Around the Wilmington area, divers can find massive fossil shark teeth, as well as huge grouper. Amazingly, the Spar was moved 200 feet from her original location and rolled over on her port side when Hurricane Irene struck the coast in August 2011. For the 10th year, Aquatic Safaris is proud to provide diving instruction and charters to UNCW MarineQuest camps. This diving spot boasts rich sea life with hundreds of shipwrecks resting underwater. Thank you for visiting our web page! These unique conditions make you feel like scuba diving in West Palm Beach, South Florida. (function($){ ellishugh: Avg Viz: 26-30ft/8-9m. It boasts rich sea life from tropical fish to pelagics such as stingrays, grouper, African pompano, giant amberjacks, and barracudas. 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. Its introduced thousands of people to the underwater world through their PADI Open Water diver course, where the adventure of exploring the Graveyard of the Atlantic begins. The Axiom i3 is AquaLung's most comfortable and easy-to-use BC yet. The wrecks sit at depths from 60 foot recreational limits to depths beyond the reach of standard technical diving methods. Default; Distance; Rating; Name (A - Z) Sponsored Links. With a variety of shipwrecks to explore just during a single dive, North Carolina gives you endless experiences you cannot forget in your lifetime. 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. . Aquatic Safaris has specialized in SCUBA diving charters, instruction, gear sales, repair, and travel in Wilmington, NC since 1988. The video below showcases how incredible scuba diving in Wilmington is. Average viz: 41-50ft/12-15m. ellishugh: Avg Viz: 36-40ft/11-12m. I went scuba diving here on 7/10/2016. At a depth of 110 feet, Aeolus is broken into three major pieces due to the storms severe impacts. Whether youre a beginner or an experienced diver, we have the courses and expertise to take your skills to the next level. All divers should follow safe scuba-diving practices, never dive or swim alone, and always check weather/surf conditions in advance. All MEG Tooth hunting and Long-range Spearfishing trips are 3 tank trips. 5. Discovering the Wonders of Mexico's Cenotes for the First Time, Apeks Announces New DSX Technical Dive Computer, How Marine Animals Are Playing a Vital Role in Saving Our Planet. Divers returned day after day to swim right amongst the sharks in what became known as Club Aeolus, North Carolinas coolest shark lounge. The Labrador current to theNorth, and the Gulfstream running from the south [], Ive been diving with these guys for a while now. Brass portholes, crew personal effects and weapons were some of the many items removed. My first recommendation to anyone no matter what level of experience., Great time on the Ledge Tender with Chris doing a little spearfishing. By submitting above, you agree to Scuba Diving's privacy policy. In August, 2000, there was a confirmation of that suspicion plus a probable identification. The USCG Cutter Spar is one of the many wrecks sent to the bottom as part of the North Carolina artificial reef project. 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. Wreck Diving in Wilmington, NC. Scuba Diving the Graveyard of the Atlantic and North Carolina Coast, 2023 Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. Your email address will not be published. With clear, warm Gulf Stream water being the standard conditions here, it appeals to those divers who dont mind the deeper depths. If you want the fish he knows where they are. Scuba Diving in Molokai: Best Dive Sites With Divers Guide! The Hyde is a purpose-sunk wreck that is a stunning part of the North Carolina Artificial Reef program. Shipwrecks along the NC coast are managed by the N.C. Without a doubt, one of the biggest draws to the Outer Banks is the opportunity to dive on this historic World War II German U-boat. cbrubach: Avg Viz: 36-40ft/11-12m. The USCG Cutter Spar is one of the many ships sent to the bottom as part of the North Carolina artificial reef project. On land, you can enjoy picking up shells along the coastal beaches. Watch this video and learn some valuable tips for protecting yourself underwater. Many divers seek to dive all three of these U-boats and over time many have achieved this accomplishment. Not all the wrecks of North Carolina met their end due to tragic events. All rights reserved. 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. USS Indra the 9 best affordable dive computers here. SHIP HISTORY: It had been suspected for a while that the "lobster wreck" was a dredge. Sitting with a 45-degree list to starboard and her conning tower intact, the U-352 fascinates divers and strikes at their imagination when they get a glimpse of a this amazing piece of WWII history. Since wreck-diving is for experienced divers, visitors are encouraged to contact local dive shops and outfitters. Whatever you call the Indra, she is a legendary wreck site in her own right. This interior view of the wreck shows why it's a favorite of scuba diver visiting the North Carolina coast. Read more about me. Most shipwrecks in North Carolina require deep diving to explore, but USS Indra is different. GO VIPJoin the 100,000+ subscribers getting exclusive content, private Q & As, awesome interviews and more. Diving the various available wrecks is the only way to decide for yourself what site is really the best. Having been diving around the world, I believe the North Carolina coast and her Graveyard of the Atlantic is truly a wonderful diving experience that is different from most places people venture. Class Information . Visual Inspection Stickers Who Do You Trust? It would be best if you did not skip reading this essential information since it contributes to deciding whether your dive trip will be comfortable or not. Scuba Diving in Kauai All You Need to Know! Its estimated there are thousands of wrecks, dating as far back as the Spanish fleets of the 1500s. In addition to the large number of shipwrecks gathering here, North Carolina boasts abundant marine life, from massive pelagics to small fish species. Do you have any questions associated with scuba diving in North Carolina? In many cases, the shipwrecks are the end result of the most extreme of those natural forces, while in other instances, the . Enormous sand tiger sharks at a whopping 10 feet in length can be seen patrolling the wreck by the dozen. The natural forces that work on North Carolina's barrier islands are also working on our shipwrecks. Water Temp: 66-70F/19-21C. Here a diver investigates the boilers that remain. 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. R. R. Stone Tug AR382 is a boat accessible salt water dive site, located in Wilmington, NC. How Much Does It Cost to Go Scuba Diving? For centuries, the often-treacherous waters off the Outer Banks of North Carolina have claimed hundreds of seagoing vessels. Ready to dive these wrecks? Depending on the conditions, possible dive sites (with shipwrecks, ledges and more) include the U-352 U-boat, the Caribsea, the Spar, the Aeolus, the Papoose and the Naeco. 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. Are you ready to take your scuba diving skills to the next level? The scrappy USCG Cutter Icarus was on her game that day when the U-352 opened fired with torpedoes and missed. Diving the Proteus is an incredible experience that will leave any diver wanting to experience more of the blue Carolina waters. The incredible number and variety of shipwrecks along the coast of North Carolina lures many scuba divers from around the world. Bycontinuing to use our site you agree to ourprivacy policy. At Scuba Wilmington, we are committed to providing the highest quality instruction and equipment for our students. Today, it is a hot spot for shark sightings, vast numbers of grouper and big pelagic life, such as African Pompano, giant amberjacks and barracudas. 7 Proteous No top ten list for North Carolina would be complete without including this gem of a wreck. How Many Calories Do You Burn Scuba Diving? We are following state and county health guidelines. I will love to contribute to your development as a diver. $(window).load(function() { Sign up for Scuba Divings weekly email and never miss another story. ellishugh: Avg Viz: 61-70ft/19-21m. Wilmington, NC (910)392-4386 diver . 34. Here a visitor peers into a hatch on the forward deck of the sunken relic. North Carolina is lucky to have three scuba-accessible World War II era U-boats beneath her waters. Water temp: 71-75F/22-24C. Moreover, because this dive spot is close to the shore, you can easily access it without a boat. Once a cable repair ship, the Aeolus is now a wreck famous for its abundance of sand tiger sharks. Scuba Diving in Oahu: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners. Curb-side service is also available. Markham - NC Shipwreck Dive - YouTube Located just ten miles from the shore, this diving spot is easy to access, especially by boats. The shipwrecks off of North Carolina are a unique and non-renewable resource that are in a constant state of change. Lets check out a few frequently asked questions related to this topic and enlarge your knowledge. The water surface here is calm, where almost no strong currents can be found. Thanks to my buddy Scott for showing me the ropes and Aquatic Safaris for the ride ou. Cape Hatteras is also known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic. 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. It is located about 700 yards off the beach in front . Water Temp: 81-85F/27-29C. Photographing a German U-boat by NOAAs National Ocean Service Flickr: Photographing a German U-boat. Two big sand tigers swimming inside the wreck. 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. Top 10 Wreck Dives of North Carolina | Scuba Diving The shallow waters of the shoals (only [], The Hyde and the Markham are twoof the most popular wrecks out of Wrightsville Beach. All divers should follow safe scuba-diving practices, never dive or swim alone, and always check weather/surf conditions in advance. ellishugh: Avg Viz: 36-40ft/11-12m. The 390-foot luxury steam liner, Proteus sunk on August 19, 1918, in a collision with the SS Cushing approximately 20 nautical miles south of Cape Hatteras. Overcoming the ravages of time, USS Indra still remains intact to this day. 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 Proteus was once a luxury passenger liner that sank in a collision in 1918. scubadiving.com is part of PADI Media, a division of PADI Worldwide. 12 Best Underwater Camera for Scuba Diving in 2023. NC shipwrecks in Google Maps. Scuba Diving in Hawaii: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners, Scuba Diving in Florida: The Best Guide for Beginners.