Locations for new diver interested in sand tiger sharks

[Snakekid97]

Hi all,

I am a relatively new open water diver. I have only ever done 2 ocean dives, in the gulf. I am moving to Charleston SC from May-August for work. I have read online that sand tiger sharks are plentiful off the NC coast around wrecks, especially over the summer.

I am very interested in seeing this, but I have never been to NC. Can anyone recommend a good charter/ location to look into? Are there good wreck/shark locations at less than 60ft deep?

(If anyone knows of good spots near Charleston, I am open to those recommendations as well!)

Thanks!

 

[drrich2]

I was in a similar 'boat' to you (wanted to see the sand tigers), back in 2015, when I flew out of KY to go check out the NC diving.

Morehead City, NC August 2015 - http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/no...us-dive-center-aug-9-13-2015-trip-report.html

I liked Olympus Dive Center fine. I didn't see any sand tiger sharks on the inshore wrecks (which were shallower with lower viz. but the dive times were a good deal longer due to NDL's not running out so fast at depth).

You're going to want to pick up a Nitrox cert. (pretty easy) and an Advanced OW cert.

For their Full Day Dive Trip, Olympus lists info. including this:

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Minimum Requirements for a Full Day Dive Trip:

· A minimum of 25 logged dives. Advanced Open Water Certification preferred. Experienced divers with Open Water Certification and required dives are accepted.

· At least 2 dives in the ocean to 70 feet or greater.

· At least 2 logged boat ocean dives.

· At least 2 dives in the last 12 months. Minimum age for Full Day Dive Trip is 15 years of age.

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I suggest seeing if you can do an AOW course in South Carolina shortly after you get there, and Nitrox, and enough dives to get up to a 25 logged dive total. Perhaps you can get that done in the May - July time frame, and hit North Carolina for the sand tigers in August?

Richard.

 

[WinfieldNC]

The sand tigers are out right now. They’re seen in larger numbers in the Morehead/Atlantic Beach area. The wrecks where sand tigers are most commonly seen are the Aeolus, Spar, Papoose, and I did see 3-4 on the Schurz on Saturday. All of these wrecks are 100’-120’.

Sand tigers can also be seen on the wrecks Hyde and Markham out of Wrightsville Beach.
The Hyde is 85’ to the sand with the deck around 60’. I have also seen sand tigers on the Stone Tug which is 60’ to the sand but it’s not normal for them to be there.