I haven't written any trip reports in a while and I think NJ gets overlooked by a lot of people. It's a little colder and darker then most people would prefer... but it is pretty magical if you're up for it. I try to get out there at least once a month if weather cooperates (so it's a 50/50 shot!)
Took a trip on Monday (said the hell with work!) to the Stolt Digali on the Independence II with South Jersey Scuba. Arrived at the pier at 6:15, loaded up and pulled out at 7. Took a little over an hour to get there (I think I heard it's an 18 mile trip?). The Indy is a nice boat, it's even nicer when 3 people didn't show up and there was plenty of room. 1st splash was 8:30. 128' deep in ~ 53F water. Did 2 dives, 63 and 66 minutes (with about ~ 20 min deco each dive).
You can read about the Stolt online but basically it's 1/2 a ship. It's a real wreck (not purposefully sunk for an artificial reef). The wreck starts at about 60' and goes to 130' on the sand. Plenty to see even if you want to stay within NDL's. Tons of life, eels, fish, crabs, starfish, etc. The wreck is rusty so plenty of holes to get into and explore. A few guys came home with dinner, sadly I wasn't one of them. I did snag some tasty mussels.
This was by far the best ocean dive I've had this year. Conditions were perfect, almost glass for the 2nd dive. Viz was 30-40? (but I'm horrible at gauging that). If I could do it I would do this dive plenty more times, just so much to explore. One of the mates on the boat even came up with some vinegar? bottles from when the ship went down, very cool find.
Pictures are not mine but have been posted elsewhere from that day. Captain, crew, and fellow divers were all great. Really fun crowd, even for the less experienced on the boat. About as laid back as you can get.
Took a trip on Monday (said the hell with work!) to the Stolt Digali on the Independence II with South Jersey Scuba. Arrived at the pier at 6:15, loaded up and pulled out at 7. Took a little over an hour to get there (I think I heard it's an 18 mile trip?). The Indy is a nice boat, it's even nicer when 3 people didn't show up and there was plenty of room. 1st splash was 8:30. 128' deep in ~ 53F water. Did 2 dives, 63 and 66 minutes (with about ~ 20 min deco each dive).
You can read about the Stolt online but basically it's 1/2 a ship. It's a real wreck (not purposefully sunk for an artificial reef). The wreck starts at about 60' and goes to 130' on the sand. Plenty to see even if you want to stay within NDL's. Tons of life, eels, fish, crabs, starfish, etc. The wreck is rusty so plenty of holes to get into and explore. A few guys came home with dinner, sadly I wasn't one of them. I did snag some tasty mussels.
This was by far the best ocean dive I've had this year. Conditions were perfect, almost glass for the 2nd dive. Viz was 30-40? (but I'm horrible at gauging that). If I could do it I would do this dive plenty more times, just so much to explore. One of the mates on the boat even came up with some vinegar? bottles from when the ship went down, very cool find.
Pictures are not mine but have been posted elsewhere from that day. Captain, crew, and fellow divers were all great. Really fun crowd, even for the less experienced on the boat. About as laid back as you can get.
