Help!! Diving Around Hilton Head in April.

[pierrevz]

I'm in Hilton Head Island April 18 - 25th with six experienced divers from Canada, looking for a charter operator that is open. I can't seem to find any who answer the phones or return calls. I've heard they're closed until May! (I can't understand that as we dive year round up here!)

Who should we call? Do we need to check Beaufort or Savannah for dive operators?

We would love to dive some deeper wrecks, ideally a U-boat or two. Looking for quality stuff.

We would be intersted in some spearfishing also, if that is possible.

Are we going to see much marine life? Are there photo opportunities for sharks? Any reef formations?

Any help would be appreciated as time is running out!

 

[Raven C]

Well, what's your pleasure... wreck, reef, just off shore?

Honestly, if you are in Hilton Head you will be better to dive a charter out of Savannah. My first reference would be contact Capt Terry at TLCCharters.com or 912-270-4854. Tell him Robyn in Beaufort told you to contact him. Right now, his calender online is open for those days. If you can't hookup with him let me know. We'll line up something. Always willing to help fellow divers in the area. R

 

[hex92]

I think I'll try TLC next time. I tried diving with Atlantic Charters out of Beaufort (I think) when I was visiting my parents last August.

They wouldn't return my calls to let me know if the dive was going or not. The day I was supposed to dive with them was flat calm and I never heard a thing. :ne_nau:

It sucks to haul all your gear on a trip and not use any of it.

 

[lisa4516]

I think I'll try TLC next time. I tried diving with Atlantic Charters out of Beaufort (I think) when I was visiting my parents last August.

They wouldn't return my calls to let me know if the dive was going or not. The day I was supposed to dive with them was flat calm and I never heard a thing. :ne_nau:

It sucks to haul all your gear on a trip and not use any of it.

It is my understanding that Atlantic Charters no longer is in the scuba business. We had the same problem. TLC sounds like a good bet! We will be down in late May. We are counting the days!

 

[Raven C]

Lisa is right about Atlantic Charters. I couldn't reach them for over a year before they sold there stuff and officially went out.

We hooked up with a private charter for a while but they told us they had some problems with the new local dive shop and weren't taking divers any more. That was bad. Currently, there aren't any "dive" charters in Beaufort or Hilton Head. Savannah is the closest bet to HH and I really do recommend Capt Terry above others, however there are some others I could pass along if you are interested.

I've done some research on establishing a good charter myself because of this problem.

R

 

[pierrevz]

Thanks RavenC,

I did take a look at TLC's site. They are in the charter business and cater to diving, fishing and pleasure cruises. As such, they do not provide tanks. (They say they have four that can be used, but with six divers, we're hauling 12 tanks from Toronto. It would be great if we didn't need to.) Also, since they are not dive specific, I'm wondering if they have any dive emergency equipment such as O2, or even a save a dive kit?

We're not against using a new charter if they are knowledgeable of the area and local dive sites. (Ever been on a charter where the captain swears "the wreck is around here somewhere?")

I noticed that Tybee Island Cruises have also been mentioned in another thread. They too seem new to the scuba business. They seem to have a relatively good package price 3 tanks for $100, but it's not all about price.

We would like to dive spectactular wrecks and healthy reefs as two primary targets. It would be great to have spectacular vis, but now I'm describing the perfect dive trip. I've seen some comments from SeaJay about the Betsy Ross. What other wrecks or dive sites should be on our list?

I will be giving TLC a call, but would like to have a few to choose from.

 

[Raven C]

TLC Charters is a Coast Guard contact for the area and he does training. They often take divers and are very equipped. If you need to arrange for tanks, call Eddie Cox at Fantasia Scuba 912-303-0094 -- 38 W De Renne Ave Savannah GA, he will work with you. Tell him Robyn in Beaufort sent you. Tybee Island is a new charter offering dives but I have not used them yet and do not know of anyone that has. I had collected their information for you but it is not a "recommendation" just another option. I agree that it is not all about the price. With Capt Terry rest assured you will get a "TOP NOTCH" trip. Terry has been a diver for many years as has been his dive master/boat hand. Check out our website, www.deepsouthdivers.org for a detail list of dive sites. Locally, the Ross and the Eagles' Nest are probably the best. We have to pull strings to get there currently as there is not a charter taking divers. Capt Terry can take you to Gray's Reef http://www.graysreef.nos.noaa.gov/; he's taking us April 3rd. Last November he took us to the Daniels, this was an amazing 400 some foot liberty ship in shallow water (up to 75-80 ft) so we got lots of exploration time. Lots of marine life even turtles and sharks. Don't count TLC out just yet. I am sure Tybee offers many of the same sites but, we have connections with Terry and we secure a condo at the Marina that averages $35 per person for two nights and I thought we could "hook you up" especially since you are traveling from HH to GA to dive. (If that's the case.) The other charters we arrange in Beaufort/HH we have to arrange or make sure they have the "safety measures" ie O2 etc. Most are fishing charters not dive. Most of the fishing charters do not like to take divers.

Anyway. If you are looking for additional charters Eddie Cox of Fantasia Scuba might be able to set you up. I do not recommend ANY other shop in Savannah even though there are a few. There is Dive Locker Ski Chalet but I have not heard good things about their "local" charters and most of their trips are out of state. The next recommendation might be to try Charleston Scuba in Charleston SC 843-763-3483 – 335 Savannah Hwy, Charleston SC. Tom and Sally have two dive boats but they don't do many charters till I believe May. When they go they take a lot of divers. As many as the boat will hold.

Hope this helps. R

 

[boydgreg]

RavenC,
Is TLCCharters.com still an active site? I can't seem to connect to it...

Well, what's your pleasure... wreck, reef, just off shore?

Honestly, if you are in Hilton Head you will be better to dive a charter out of Savannah. My first reference would be contact Capt Terry at TLCCharters.com or 912-270-4854. Tell him Robyn in Beaufort told you to contact him. Right now, his calender online is open for those days. If you can't hookup with him let me know. We'll line up something. Always willing to help fellow divers in the area. R