Where in the Carolina's is best to dive....???

[Toolboy]

OK...this might start a turf war....that is not what I am looking for....

I am looking for information as to the best time of year to dive off the coast on Carolina...North or South.

Also what area or location is most suggested for diving.

Now we are advanced divers with plenty of wreck diving.

Form fast current dives in Canada in the St. Lawrance River.....to wreck diving in Micronesia.....

So we are looking for some great dives...

We plan on a one week stay...maybe 3 days in one area then 3 days in another..it all depends on what information we find.

Even some suggestions for dive operators would be helpful.

Thanks

 

[Scubamedicjoe]

well best time as far as temp and visability is june through sept sometimes into oct , wrecks well my faverite is U352, cassimer spar not a deep wreck but good wreck. actually allmost all of them . olympus ,discovery cape fear divers aqua safarie all good operations

 

[herman]

As far as the best time of year is concerned my choice is Oct....assuming hurricanes have not stirred up the water. The water is still warm but the day time temps have moderated some. That said, anytime from May to Dec can be good. Late July to early Nov is hurricane season, some years we get them, others we don't but it's something to consider. Sand tigers are common in the warmer months, way cool to swim a few feet from 8 to 10 ft long sharks.
Our main 2 diving areas are the Morehead City area (Olympus and Discovery) and the Wilmington area (Cape Fear Divers and Aquatic Safaris). Several days at each is a good idea. Our wrecks tend to be on the deep side, over 100ft is common and a long way off shore. Boat rides of 2 or 3 hrs in 4 to 8 ft waves are not uncommon. I recommend you have a plan B, it's common for us to get blown out for days at a time. Seasickness is also common and unless your positive you don't get seasick meds are a good idea. We do get days with gin clear water and glass flat seas but you do need to be prepaired to deal with less than ideal conditions.

 

[fireflock]

The key to understanding offshore Carolina diving is to recognize where the gulf stream water is relative to the geography of the state(s). North of Hatteras, the diving in influenced by colder Labrador current water, so the water is colder and murkier.

From Hatteras south, the quality of the water depends on how close you are to the gulf stream and if the warm clear gulf stream water has moved into the area you are diving. Hatteras (Cape Hatteras), Morehead/Beaufort (Cape Lookout) and Wilmington (Cape Fear) all get good water in summer. Further south, the gulf stream water tends to be further offshore and they don't have the same numbers of historical wrecks (WWII) because the topography in North Carolina made for better torpedo shooting. Cape Lookout is what most people think of when they think of NC wreck diving. If you can only make 1 trip to NC, that's where I would go. For something a little more off the beaten path, Hatteras is your place. For access to the sights and sounds of a bigger city, Wilmington wins. It all depends what you are looking for.

The sweet spot each year starts around mid-June when the blue water moves in for the summer and usually continues until the first big hurricane (which sometimes comes early and sometimes never comes). I would try for June, July, or August - but those dates book up fast and you have to pay high-season rates for lodging. If you bring enough people to charter a boat, September is worth a shot. Weekday trips slow down once summer vacation is over and can be harder to find if you only have a 2-3 divers in your group. I would spend all 6 days in one place. You stand a good chance of loosing a day to weather anyway, and there are enough wrecks that you don't have to visit any twice unless you want to (and you probably will want to).

Rich

 

[jscott099]

Common man, go for the gusto. Do the Rolesville Rock Quarry in February instead of those easy coastal dives. 44 deg. Mmm mmm good.

 

[wsims57]

OK...this might start a turf war....that is not what I am looking for....

I am looking for information as to the best time of year to dive off the coast on Carolina...North or South.

Also what area or location is most suggested for diving.

Now we are advanced divers with plenty of wreck diving.

Form fast current dives in Canada in the St. Lawrance River.....to wreck diving in Micronesia.....

So we are looking for some great dives...

We plan on a one week stay...maybe 3 days in one area then 3 days in another..it all depends on what information we find.

Even some suggestions for dive operators would be helpful.

Thanks

I have done the St Lawrence as well. Damn cold!!! But really incredible dive.
All the posts here have accurately described diving in NC. I dive there very often and love the diving here. Blow outs are common. You will not be sorry you dove Morehead City or Beaufort.

 

[Toolboy]

Wow...alot of great ideas.......I am used to water of 68 to 71 degrees as that is what we dive in in mid summer in the St.Lawrence River.......so unless it drops to below 65..I am happy...mind you I am happier diving warmer.

Depths of 100 up to 130 are comfortable.....I am used to vis in the 20' range so anything above that is a bonus.....

So I will start to compile the information provided and start planning......

If any one has prticulr wrecks they like...let me know....

 

[RAD Diver]

I dive all over NC & don't show much favoritism, but since Morehead/ Beaufort & Wilmington have been covered I will throw out there Cape Hatteras. If you go off-season it is very nice, of course I'm not big into crowds. We went in October & had a blast. Plus accommodations are very reasonable then.
Wrecks would consist of the Dixie Arrow, Proteus, British Splendor, Abrams, so many good ones.
A couple of sites Capt JT's Wreck Diving Site though he leaves Hatteras in the off season, still a good site to visit.
Also Outer Banks Diving which is who I dove with in October.

 

[highlandfarmwv]

Cape Hatteras is wonderful with blue water vis and lots of sharks. Outer Banks Diving out of Hatteras runs a good op. 65' boat.

 

[fpsndiver]

Well....which wrecks.

Hatteras? Don't know, don't dive there.

Morehead/Beaufort- Proteus, Schurz, WE Hutton (old Papoose), U-352, Tarpon, Manuela, and Aeolus (for the sharks)

Wilmington/Cape Fear-Normannia, Ed's Lobster Wreck (Porta Allegra), Cassimir, City of Houston, John D. Gill, and Hyde (for the sharks)

South Carolina Ops (Myrtle, N. Myrtle, Murrells Inlet)-Hebe, Governor, St. Cathan, 18 Fathom

There are some of the biggies mostly in the recreational range. The Tarpon and Manuela are slightly deeper than rec range, but not too bad really.

Tom