Dive Shops in the OuterBanks, NC

[HeatherS]

I'm a newly certified (about 2 months ago) OW diver living in the Seattle area. I did some diving in Hawaii last month and LOVED the warm water. I'm taking a trip to the Outer Banks, NC (Nags Head) in August and want to do some diving there. I'm hoping that the water will be warmer there than it is here. I understand that there are a lot of wrecks to dive there too.

However, being that I'm only OW certified, I'm thinking that I should probably take the advanced class before I go. Lots of the wrecks are below 60'. Then I got to thinking . . . can I just take the advanced class out there? Taking the class in warmer water seems appealing. Also, I don't own any gear yet, so I have to rent anyway. Out here, gear rental is part of the class fee.

So, does anyone know about diving in the Outer Banks? I hear it's warmer if I dive out of Cape Hatteras instead of Nags Head. Can anyone recommed a dive shop? One that teaches Advanced Open Water?

Are there reasons to take Advanced Open Water locally that I'm not considering?

Thanks

 

[H2Andy]

hi heather, welcome aboard. i moved your question here to get you answers from
those in the know.

 

[DandyDon]

Howdy Heather!

Your Profile doesn't say how many dives you've logged? I'd like to see you pretty experienced before you get there. If you do your AOW there, you'll stay in practice on your new skills, learn in conditions that will well prepare you, and - you'll be ready for the wrecks as soon as you arrive. Do your Nitrox course, too, so you can have 50% more bottom time ont the wrecks.

My experiences there are out of Morehead City, so this may not be right on for Nags Head. Use our Search feature and read up while you're waiting on other responses. {Our Search tool used to not work on 3 letter words, but it does now.}

The Gulf Stream pumps warm water in there year 'round, so expect pleasant water, but associated currents. But worth the challenge. Interesting wrecks and exciting fishes. :dazzler1:

 

[Lead_carrier]

but I personally love the diving out of Hatteras. How many dives do you have. Outer Banks Diving is the only show in town for Hatteras. When are you coming down. It could be possible to do an advanced course with you there. Most of the time everyone is more interested in your experience over which cards you carry.

But I do agree with Dandy don. Nitrox is almost a must. Heck, we can even do that one for you too.

 

[cornfed]

I'm a newly certified (about 2 months ago) OW diver living in the Seattle area. I did some diving in Hawaii last month and LOVED the warm water. I'm taking a trip to the Outer Banks, NC (Nags Head) in August and want to do some diving there. I'm hoping that the water will be warmer there than it is here. I understand that there are a lot of wrecks to dive there too.

Talk to the Outer Banks Dive Center (http://www.obxdive.com/) in Nags Head. As long as you're honest with them they'll do their best to make sure you don't sign up for anything that you're not ready for and can help you decided whether or not you want to take another class. They're a good shop and I'll be diving with them this weekend.

Someone mentioned Hatteras, but that is about an hour and a half from Nags Head.

 

[HeatherS]

I know that Hatteras is a drive from Nags Head, so I'd rather do Nags Head, EXCEPT . . . I'm looking for the warmest water. I think I read somewhere that water is quite a bit warmer in Hatteras. Can anyone confirm?

 

[cornfed]

Yes, Hatteras is generally warm then Nags Head. Remind me on Tuesday and I'll let you know what the bottom temps off Nags Head are.

 

[jgarysmith]

Heather,
Hatteras is only about an hour drive from Nags Head and it is an easy straight shot there. Water is definatly warmer than Nags Head and the vis is better. One day in Nags Head you need 7mil suits or dry, but in Hatteras you can use 3mils or shorty's depending on the wreck. In Aug water temps will be great. Call Outer Banks Diving, Amy and Mike with The Buyou Runner, they :are great. :11ztongue
Gary

 

[diver171]

Hey-

Welcome to the board..new here as well..even though been diving for over 10 years..the other interesting aspect of diving off of Morehead City-occasional run in with Great Whites...friend came back from diving there and was witness to a nice GW swimming around the dive boat...can we say not too many divers were wanting to get into the water right away...LOL!!! A tad different from the Bahamas and shark diving there...but if you have opportunity..Hatteras and Morehead city known for its large animals encountered on dive wrecks...Sandtigers are a given...Great Whites on the other hand...just a tad bit more rare and exhilirating to say the least...

Good luck with the dives

-Brett

 

[Lead_carrier]

Heather,
Hatteras is only about an hour drive from Nags Head and it is an easy straight shot there. Water is definatly warmer than Nags Head and the vis is better. One day in Nags Head you need 7mil suits or dry, but in Hatteras you can use 3mils or shorty's depending on the wreck. In Aug water temps will be great. Call Outer Banks Diving, Amy and Mike with The Buyou Runner, they :are great. :11ztongue
Gary

Actually, it's Amy and John. Mike does captain, work as a mate and dm occasionally for them tho. If it is the same Mike I know.

As the water temp. Last week, it was 74 on the surface and 77 on the bottom at some of the Hatteras wrecks.