Myrtle Beach diving?

[DivingCRNA]

Hey all,

My family is considering moving to Florence, SC for a job. I understand that it is 70 miles from Myrtle Beach. What is the ocean diving like in the area?

We are in Missouri now, and my wife has boycotted diving the lakes (I haven't) but she loves to dive the ocean (she loved the Bahamas, Cozumel and Turks and Ciacos). We drive and hour and a half to the lake now.

Is the diving good in this region?

Will I need my dry suit? (I am kind of a wuss in cold water).

Also, a friend of mine has fossils from the Cooper River. Is that a fun dive?

Thanks!

 

[McKee Boykin]

Water is not as clear nearshore as further south. Cooper river is fun but you will need a very strong light in this tannin stained water. Fossils to be found. Drysuit, depends on water temps, right now wetsuit 3-5 mil will be fine. just a little later no suit will be needed except for the jellyfish.

 

[herman]

A better option may be do drive north to the Wilmington area, there are seveal good dive ops there. I would caution you not to compair NC diving to Coz/T&C/Bahamas. Our wrecks are great but they tend to be a lot farther off shore and deep. A 2 hr boat ride in 5ft seas to dive 100+ft is pretty close to average. Seasickness can be a real problem. Our diving can be really nice with lots of tropicals and the chance to see sand tiger sharks up close but you need to understand the real conditions.
For a couple of mid difficulty but excellent wrecks, get on a trip to the Hyde and the Marcum.
The Cooper River is another dive that you need to be prepaired for. Stong current and near zero vis is the norm, it's basically zero vis, solo diving.

 

[zackalack8999]

I would presume you would need more exposure protection in Wilmington than you would in Myrtle as well.

 

[herman]

Not really, they are less than 100 miles apart and the Labrador current turns out north of Morehead.

 

[zackalack8999]

That's a surprise, I remember when I was very little Nag's Head and the Outer Banks were so much colder than Myrtle Beach/ Litchfield and that area. I guess Nag's Head and the OBX are further north? I'll check a map.

 

[ScubaExpress]

Myrtle beach diving is great. Need a 3mm in the summer or less like a shorty. Check out our website at www.expresswatersports.com We are your Myrtle beach diving HQ

 

[guffee32]

Hey Scubaexpress - I'm in Charleston today and tomorrow so I may do Cooper River. But I also might go on up to Myrtle where I'll be for two weeks. I have all Cressi gear...and It's time for yearly service. Do you service Cressi equip?

Any chance to get on a boat this weekend?