I'm planning on diving the Speigel Grove next month. This will be my first time on this wreck, and I've read a lot about the changing conditions and how bad the currents can be. I'm used to diving off Hatteras, so I was wondering if the currents are any worse there than I would be used to off the Carolina coast. Are they about the same? Outer Banks Diving normally will move on to another wreck if the currents are too bad.
Spiegel Grove
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You might want to post this in the Florida Conch Divers Forum although I am sure there are some divers here who have dove the SG, however I am not one of them. Have a great time!
Welcome to the board.
The Grove varies a lot. I have been on it when there was zero current and when the current was ripping. There is no way to tell until you get there. You may find better info on the average conditions on the Fla Forum.
The Grove varies a lot. I have been on it when there was zero current and when the current was ripping. There is no way to tell until you get there. You may find better info on the average conditions on the Fla Forum.
I'm not so sure you'll get better responses in the Conch forum. I don't have enough experience in NC to give you a good answer. My dives in NC have all been relaxing, easy dives, we had some seas, but there were no currents. I'm guessing they aren't all like that. The Grove can sometimes be similar to what I experienced in NC, but often the current is screaming.
My guess is that current on the Grove can be much worse than what is average off Hatteras. On any individual day, however, it's impossible to know what you will find. As some others have noted, there could be no current at all.
There are a couple of differences in the way things are done that make diving in more current feasable. Because the grove has mooring balls, the crew doesn't have to worry about hooking the wreck in the current. Also, there are multiple mooring balls so _some_ operators might be willing to drop you on one ball and pick you up on another (depends on the crew, conditions, the divers, and probably a bunch of other stuff).
There are a couple of differences in the way things are done that make diving in more current feasable. Because the grove has mooring balls, the crew doesn't have to worry about hooking the wreck in the current. Also, there are multiple mooring balls so _some_ operators might be willing to drop you on one ball and pick you up on another (depends on the crew, conditions, the divers, and probably a bunch of other stuff).
ArcticDiver
Contributor
Haven't dove in NC. But I have dove the Spiegel multiple times. The big thing about the current at the Spiegel is that it can change rapidly. I've seen the current change from negligable to mooring balls submerged in the time it took to go from the surface to the wreck.
So, you need to have your "I can't get back to the mooring line I came down on" protocol worked out between divers and the dive boat.
Also, very important, you need to be physically fit. A ripping current on the Spiegel is not the place to discover that you aren't strong enough to hang on to the ascent line, or don't have enough endurance to handle stooging around on the surface until it is your turn to board the boat. (I've seen both in what to me were young divers)
Last time I was there we did several back to back dives on the Spiegel. It is fun and except for the rapidly changing current easy.
If the current is bad when your boat gets there you won't dive. The boat captain will move on to another site.
So, you need to have your "I can't get back to the mooring line I came down on" protocol worked out between divers and the dive boat.
Also, very important, you need to be physically fit. A ripping current on the Spiegel is not the place to discover that you aren't strong enough to hang on to the ascent line, or don't have enough endurance to handle stooging around on the surface until it is your turn to board the boat. (I've seen both in what to me were young divers)
Last time I was there we did several back to back dives on the Spiegel. It is fun and except for the rapidly changing current easy.
If the current is bad when your boat gets there you won't dive. The boat captain will move on to another site.
I learned to wreck dive here in NC (out of Morehead City), but lived and taught for years in FL. I have been on the SG when she was on her side and since Dennis turned her upright. The SG can be calm or it can be ripping (read - you are a flag in the wind). I have never felt a current on NC wrecks like that on the SG. To repeat what someone else said - STAY ON THE DOWN-LINE if there is a current or, as one boat captain said "you will find yourself in Miami". It is still an fantastic dive and if you get a calm current day it will be an exprience you will always remember.
packman
Contributor
The one time I dove the SG, the current was enough that the boat dropped us off at the bow mooring ball and was going to pick us up on the stern mooring ball. I didn't find it to be too bad that day, however, and there was no current inside the ship. 
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