diving in north carolina

[RICHinNC]

If you ever head over to the Wilmington, NC area.... you might want to try ... Aquatic Safaris.... just do a search on the net and you will find their web site. I have gone out with them about 3 times and have never been unhappy. Good luck...Y'all.

 

[cstreu1026]

I can offer some info from both my own personal experience and 2nd hand from my fiance. I have been to the outer banks in the last two summers. It very laid back and casual and if the weather is good it beautiful. Depending on you where you are headed the water can be chilly to down right cold. If you end up in the Nags Head area you can expect to need a dry suit or atleast a 7mm wetsuit because I don't think the water temps ever get above the mid 60's. The two times I have been we stayed at a KOA campground in Rodanthe which is in the middle of Hatteras Island. There is really isn't a whole lot there but it reasonably close to everything in Nags Head and about an equal distance to Hatteras. Now this where my fiance's experience comes in play since I have not been diving there. She has dived with Outer Banks Diving on more than one occassion (her family vacations there every summer). She has nothing but praise for the operation.

http://www.outerbanksdiving.com/

She has been raving about the diving there since I met her. If we can some how work something our we will probably go back late summer, though I am not sure how it will work out having taken off for our honeymoon in June.

 

[Lead_carrier]

If you're are going to the Outer Banks in the Nags Head area. There are a few shore dives, hire the local DM to guide you. Its is cheap and safer. Outer Banks diving can be very different from one minute to the next. This has a link to some good info.
They also have access to the U85 from up here.
http://www.obxdive.com/

If you're going to Cape Hatteras, Outer Banks diving is your only dive center. Not to worry, they are fantastic. Johnny is very safety consciece and his DM's are very attentive to their divers. (I do not work for them but if you see this Johnny I'll call in my marker later this spring.) Be nitrox certified and ocean experience is a big help.

www.outerbanksdiving.com

I usually don't go down over 3 or 4 times a year but it is some fantastic diving.
Have a great time. Anything else you need to know let me know and I'll help anyway I can

 

[DivePartner1]

herman once bubbled...
Camping in May is not bad but any later in the year, the heat, humidity and buggs are almost unbearable. If you can give me the general area you want to dive, I may can point you to some campsites.

The bugs really can be unbearable as late as September. Also, a back-up plan is a good idea. Heavy seas can interfere with diving with disappointing frequency. I know the diving is great, but this is why I usually dive Delaware instead: a wasted 5 hour round trip beats 14 hours in the car for a cancelled dive.

 

[RICHinNC]

DP1 has an excellent point. I have driven to wilmington only to have the dive cancelled. It can happen often. The reputable dive shops are very aware of the conditions and usually will call a dive if the waves hit 5 ft. Getting back on board the boat can be more a thrill than the dive sometimes!!

 

[O-ring]

...the dives are worth the risk. We have gotten blown out plenty of times and I look forward to getting blown out plenty more this season. Yeah, it sucks, but the diving is among the best in the world and I feel it is worth the drive, the risk of blowouts, and the rodeoish boat rides.

 

[DiverDave76]

Odds are more that you will have dives cancelled rather than actually get to dive. Seas can change quickly. From what I hear it is great diving....if you can hit it right. Never actually dove the area. I've had several trips cancelled myself. 0 for 3.

Maybe if I am persistent, one day I'll get to dive some of those wrecks.

Dave