Trip Report- Hatteras, N. Carolina 7-1-2006

[divekraz]

We never dove in Hatteras before and found the best dive boat we've ever been on for over all service in 250 dives. Capatain J.T. 757-537-6524 web site capt-jt.com He has a 45' boat that's just been reconditioned from the hull out this past year. Cost is $125 per diver/2 dives which is comparable with other shops in the area. Depending on conditions and location of wreck for that day, you may have a 1 hour to 2.5 hour boat ride to the site. Between dives you can sit in the cabin and watch dvd's or sleep in the v berth. This is a 6 pack. Only a maximum of 6 divers allowed per trip. After the first dive they fed us hot dogs cooked on a grill and chips or bring your own and they'll cook it for you. J.T. always has 2 dive masters in addition to himself to help with gear so you have a 2 to 1 ratio of diver to staff. The seating is in the center so you can either exit the stern where there's a fin friendly, extra long aluminum ladder when you come back, or back roll off the side. After diving you can shower inside or outside and change to dry clothes. Since we dove every day for 4 days they let us rinse our gear on the dock and the crew, after cleaning the boat, stored our gear back on the boat, ready for the next day. You can also sleep on the boat if you'd like. The wild life was thick with clouds of spades, sand tiger sharks, toad fish, turtles, rays, etc., there are tropicals and lion fish. Our last day of diving was 7-4-06 and my wife and I were the only 2 people diving. We went to the Dixie Arrow, 17 miles from the inlet and decided to stay there for both dives. The water was between 76 to 82 degrees on the wrecks so we only wore our skins. The breakwater hotel is 1yr old construction facing the marina with a small kitchen at $129/night less 10% for divers or 15% if your staying for 5 days. We liked diving with J.T. so much we're going back in August in spite of the 10 hour drive. I'd be happy to answer any questions.

 

[highlandfarmwv]

How was visibiltiy there?

 

[caymaniac]

How was visibiltiy there?

Was the temp the same and the viz the same on all your dives? This is an area that I've considered diving for awhile. How rough is the boat ride? Was the water rough on any of your diving days? Do you know if your dives are typical with viz, temp and wave height for the July time frame?

 

[divekraz]

How was visibiltiy there?

Visability varies greatly. A morning dive on the Dixie was 80' and a tug closer to shore for our second dive that day was 25'. That was extreme. All the other dives ranged from 60' to 100'. J.T. said a resonable range for the farther wrecks was 50' to 100'. If you look at the Hatteras wrecks off the net they give a report on usual current and visablity for each wreck as the location to shore, bottom makeup, etc. affect the viz. J.T. would check with the fishermen and others to get an idea of conditions before comitting to a dive whenever possible. We're going again next month for another 3 days of diving, 33 days and counting. If you have any more question please let me know or contact J.T. directly as he's very direct with responses.

 

[divekraz]

Was the temp the same and the viz the same on all your dives? This is an area that I've considered diving for awhile. How rough is the boat ride? Was the water rough on any of your diving days? Do you know if your dives are typical with viz, temp and wave height for the July time frame?

The temps at the wreck ranged from 78 to 82 degrees over the 4 days, getting warmer each day. The seas were dead calm for a few days before and after we arrived. The wind picked up a bit which brought a 3' rolling sea on the worst day. The boat is 45' and we sat in the cabin watching dvd's so we didn't have any problem.
J.T. said this was typical for the time of year. Keep in mind, this is open ocean diving and conditions can change quickly. We had some dives where you could see the wreck (90' to the sand) from the boat. Also Keep in mind the gulf stream comes to Hatteras so the warm water and some tropicals will make it to Hatteras. Go 40 miles north to Nags head and what's 82 degrees in Hatteras is 60 degrees in Nags head. If there's anything else just let me know.

 

[highlandfarmwv]

Dive,kraz, where, on the internet, do you find the daily visibility? What is the site? Thanks.

 

[divekraz]

Dive,kraz, where, on the internet, do you find the daily visibility? What is the site? Thanks.

Highland, if you go to http://www.nc-wreckdiving.com/shipwrecks.html you can pull up any of the shipwrecks and it will give you a general dive condition checklist. To get the daily viz, I wouldn't know if there's anywhere that would show it. You could call J.T. directly 757 537 6524 or e mail captjt@mindspring.com and ask him what it's been like. It seems to be like anywhere else you dive, most days the viz is in a range with some days better or worse. We dove in Bon Aire for a week with viz ranging 30'-50' and everyone is telling me it's usually 100' except for that one week we showed up.
The viz in Hatteras did fit the range shown on the wreck site I gave you but at the higher range for the most part. We had some dives with close to 100'