NC wreck trip - July 2010

[robint]

Hey RMO gang!

As most of you know, we normally hit the left coast for a few days of diving every summer. This year we are heading the other direction. Ron and I are going to NC coast this July for a few days of wrecks and sand tiger sharks. Anyone else interested in going? We are getting set to book 4 days of diving with either Discovery or Olympus out of Morehead City area. WWII wrecks and the U-352 are calling...

We are looking at flying into Raleigh, we have some free tickets on Southwest to use, rent a car and drive down (3 hours to coast). I haven't been back home to NC in 20+ yrs and Ron has never been there. We figure if we book 4 days of diving we will get out at least 2-3. Check out the websites, let us know if you want more details.

Discovery Diving Co.- NC's Diving Headquarters - Discovery Diving Co.
Olympus Dive Center

robin

 

[georoc01]

I did this trip two years ago over July 4th holiday. The boat rides are long but the diving was great! We dove with Diver Down staying at a motel next door to dive shop.

 

[robint]

I did this trip two years ago over July 4th holiday. The boat rides are long but the diving was great! We dove with Diver Down staying at a motel next door to dive shop.

what did you think of Diver Down's boat? I have looked at their website but don't know anyone that has used them.

robin

 

[georoc01]

The boat is smaller and wider than the Olympus boat so you have fewer divers and a more stable ride. The Olympus boat is a little faster as it rides higher in the water. I think we had a dozen divers when we did it.

Either way its open ocean so depending on conditions the rides can rough. I normally don't take sea sickness meds, but did on this trip and was glad I did. My dive buddy didn't day 1 and really regretted it as did a couple of others.

 

[robint]

thanks, it now looks like we are only booking 2-3 days of diving, too many other things on our agenda. If we like the diving, I am sure we will be back for a real dive trip.


robin

 

[DandyDon]

I've been out with Bobby on the Diver Down a few times with a group I used to travel with. Roomy gear deck, comfortable dry room with tables (if people don't use it for storage unnecessarily like that group), roomy sun deck above, and room to visit Bobby on the bridge. If I went back, I'd go with him for sure.

It looks like google maps has the location of Morehead City very wrong as it is certainly on the coast a few hours west on US 70 from Raleigh-Durham, not where they have it east. :silly: GMs seems to have the Diver Down location wrong too; he may live in Morehead, but he docks on the back side of Atlantic Beach. The directions on his site are pretty clear. Arrow points to approximate location....

​

Lots of shopping east along #58.

We stayed at the Fisherman's Inn two door down, linked on his site. Comfy place, ran by a delightful couple. I just went for the diving, not nearby sites, but two or three days of those long trips would be all I'd do. Seems like we'd leave around 5:30am, 3 hours out, dive, 90 minute SI with wreck change, dive, 2 hours back = a full day.

 

[robint]

we are officially booked! :banana:

July 26th & 27th, Monday and Tuesday. Olympus Dive Center
they said there was plenty of space those days, so if anyone wants to join us!
we are making this a short trip as we have too much going on this summer


robin

 

[robint]

got a PM from someone asking about the NC diving, how good it might be, fishlife, sharks, etc.... so I thought I would post this link to the videos on Olympus website:
NC wreck diving Video Gallery

if you haven't seen these, check them out! The fishlife is incredible. We are probably adding on a third day of diving to our trip, Wed 28th, not sure yet if we will stay with Olympus or try out Discovery or DiverDown for that day.
For those solo travelers, Olympus and Discovery both have a bunkhouse that is really cheap.

robin

 

[Shark Whisperer]

That sounds like a lot of fun!!! Maybe I can talk James into going!

 

[robint]

we are officially booked for 3 days of diving with Olympus. Olympus Dive Center
July 25th, Sunday
July 26th, Monday
July 27th, Tuesday
when I spoke to them yesterday, it sounds like 25th is almost sold out, but plenty of spots left the other two days!

robin