Diving NC and/or VA Bch

[tddfleming]

I am looking for some input on new divers for NC and/or VA Bch. We were cert in late Sept. We have 14 dives to this point, season is over with for us here in VA. However, I am thinking ahead for next season.

Once it starts to warm up again, myself and my 12 yr old will go back to take our AOW at the local quarry. However, I would like to see about Morehead, Wilmington or VA Bch for beginner divers. After our AOW I was looking at taking a couple of classes in Morehead for boat diver, fish ID and maybe Shark awareness. Which would give us some experience in the ocean vs the local quarry. I was looking into the inshore dives in Morehead, would these be appropiate for beginners and my daughter? Also, thinking of any shore dives in the area. Topsail is another thought. We used to live in the NC coastal region many years ago and know the region, a little, a least enough to get around and know that these areas are not right next to each other. My daughter will be 13 come April. I was looking at Discovery Diving out of Morehead, any knowledge on them that anyone can share? I realize the water conditions can change at a moment notice in the area and we are prepared to find something else to do if the conditions do not allow us to dive once there. Heck, I have not seen Charlie the gator in many years in Wilmington. I hear he is still there. Also, I always think of the best hushpuppies I ever had in Jacksonville, NC. Could always eat a basket of those if conditons are bad.

Any thoughts or places would be great, thanks.

 

[Tortuga James]

You can't go wrong with the training at Discovery Diving in Beaufort or Olympus in Morehead City.

As far as the inshore dives, we have several sites that are great for "cutting your teeth" on Mid Atlantic Boat Diving. The most frequented is the Indra, but there is also the Titan, Suloide and Hutton nearby, all in 60-70 feet. Anyone that can handle the underwater part of the quarry will generally be fine at these sites. They are closer to the inlet, and are a great way to get used to getting off and back on the boat, and the boat riding back and forth (and the effect of motion that goes with it).

The best diving off the Crystal Coast is advanced diving, all in depths in excess of a 100'. The long boat rides, often in less than calm condtions, getting on and off the boat and the possiblity of currents make the accumulation of some experience a good idea. Once you are ready, it is world class diving.

My youngest was 12 when certified, and he was a fairly capable diver for his age. But the task loading and challenges of the offshore dives are a lot to put on a 12 year old. I have had quite a few parent/child trips on my boat, and I have seen some youngsters more capable than there parent, but not often. Be aware of your daughter's ability and comfort level and try not to put her in a situation she is not ready to handle, or you run the risk of turning her off to diving.

Training is great, but nothing beats experience. Be sure you both get plenty of time diving (specifically boat and ocean) before heading offshore NC.

Good luck!!

 

[Iknee]

The best shore dive I have done in the area has been the Huron in Naggs Head. I have taken my 12 year old there. My LDS has recommended back bay off of 64th in Virginia Beach, but the visibility can be poor. I have also heard about the channel islands on the Bay-Bridge tunnel... Has anyone been there recently?

 

[Eastbayfe]

You can't go wrong diving out of Beaufort and Morehead.

 

[RAD Diver]

Morehead City & Wilmington are both great areas to visit & dive, quite a few shallow wrecks to dive & a favorite of mine for the deeper stuff.
Don't overlook Cape Hatteras, there is some nice shallow dives fairly close to shore. Capt JT can take very good care of you. Capt JT's Wreck Diving Site - Diving Hatteras NC and Virginia Beach VA You get to stay on board while diving in an Air Conditioned cabin.
In Va. Beach the islands of the CBBT can be vis challenged, with currents & boat traffic. We do have a few wrecks closer in like the Tug, Tiger & Santore that would be good for getting the hang of VB diving.

 

[tarponchik]

There is nothing wrong with Discovery, but keep in mind that (1) the trips are long and the waters are choppy, so you and/or your daughter can get really seasick and (2) diving there is not so easy because of often poor visibility, currents, orientation issues, and the above-mentioned choppy waters. Plus, how do you know your daughter won't freak out if a vicious-looking but harmless sand tiger shows up? Anyway, I got >50 dives before I did my 1st dive in Atlantic, and I definetely do not regret that I waited that long.

 

[tddfleming]

There is nothing wrong with Discovery, but keep in mind that (1) the trips are long and the waters are choppy, so you and/or your daughter can get really seasick and (2) diving there is not so easy because of often poor visibility, currents, orientation issues, and the above-mentioned choppy waters. Plus, how do you know your daughter won't freak out if a vicious-looking but harmless sand tiger shows up? Anyway, I got >50 dives before I did my 1st dive in Atlantic, and I definetely do not regret that I waited that long.

I can pretty much bet my last dollar that she would not freak about the sand tiger. She has more knowledge than me on the marine animals. As this is what she swears she wants to do when she grows up. She is going to drive Dr. Bill insane. They have been PM back and forth about her science project. He has been wonderful. She really seems to look up to him and he has proven to be wonderful dealing with all her questions.

But as for the choppy waters and such, this is my concern. As she is only jr. OW and we will get the Jr. AOW come spring. We dove with another shop inst. and he was impressed with how she perfomed. At this point she can only go 40' after Jr AWO she will only be able to go 70' max. I was looking for dives that we can that are close to shore in shore dives that we can venture out and try soemthing other than quarry waters. We did our last dive in the quarry in mid Nov. Temp 58.

Thanks for the advise. I will keep this in mind.

 

[Tortuga James]

At this point she can only go 40' after Jr AWO she will only be able to go 70' max. I was looking for dives that we can that are close to shore in shore dives that we can venture out and try soemthing other than quarry waters. We did our last dive in the quarry in mid Nov. Temp 58.

Thanks for the advise. I will keep this in mind.

You will not be disappointed with our inshore sites with those requirements. The Indra is the best place to start. Animal life is good, viz is usually better than the quarries and sometimes up to 40-50'. It gets bad when the surge from fall storms kick up the bottom. Late spring, early summer is best. By the time you get a couple of seasons with some inshore dives in, you and her will be ready to venture offshore.

 

[tddfleming]

Thank you Capt James. I do not want to bite off more than we can chew, but we also want to dive more than a quarry. Rawlings, pretty much only has blue gill and bass. Would love to see something more. With the dive suggestions, are they shore dives or the inshore boat dives? If inshore, most look to be 3 miles or less off shore. Since she is 12, will be 13 come April, I am guessing that after we get our AOW and a few-several more dives in, we were thinking of coming down for our Boat Cert. which looks to keep us inshore. I know we are excited to do the fish ID so we know what we are looking at. Are there any shore dive locations around Morehead, North Topsail? We plan on getting back in the water here as soon as it get warm enough for us to handle. Viz more than 10-20 feet? No way, we may not know what to do with ourselves.

Offshore is a long way off for us. Anyhow, the full day charters will not touch someone under 15. Which is fine with me, we have time. With your suggestion of the time of season best the the area, we will plan here to get as much done and dives in to get our dive numbers up. Her and I just go out to the quarry and frolick underwater.

Is the Fishermans Wharf still in Jacksonville????

 

[Tortuga James]

The only thing 3 miles from the beach is the Theodore Parker, a concrete liberty ship sunk as an artificial reef. It can be a fun dive, but is prone to black out viz conditions since it is so close to the inlet. It would be difficult to get there on the larger crew boats, they just don't stop at that site often.

The only real shore dive is the Radio Island Rock jetty. It is a walk in dive, and is tide sensitive. Slack high tide is the best time. Discovery runs a pontoon boat over there to carry equipment so you don't have to walk it down from the parking lot. ON a good day, viz is about 10-15' and there are lots of little fish.

The Indra and other inshore sites to the SW are 12 miles from the inlet. That is about a 45 minute boat ride. You will see big Amberjacks, Barracudas, tons of baitfish, the occasional shark, and in the spring there are often mola mola sightings. In the sand along side are sand dollars and conch shells.

Rumrunner Dive Shop out of Greenville, NC charters me a couple of times a year for a Parent/Child inshore day. Tortuga is a 6 pack, so seats are limitied. They always have an instructor with their group. You may want to touch base with them to see if they are planning anything that fits into your schedule.

Both Olympus and Discovery run afternoon trips to the Indra, usually leaving the dock around 4pm. You can grab a seat with either just about everyday of the week in the summer.

Feel free to call if you want any additional information. Whether you dive with me or not does not matter, I just want you to experience the Crystal Coast.