Join Blue Planet for 4 days of world-class wreck diving off the coast of North Carolina. Swirling schools of silvery fish and docile sand tiger sharks await you. We’ll be diving from Morehead City, which is conveniently located and has access to wrecks famous for sand tiger sightings.
North Carolina
Scuba diving in North Carolina is truly an incredible experience. Fed by the warm, clear waters of the Gulfstream, it offers incredible visibility and comfortable temperatures making NC Diving top-rated by scuba enthusiasts and dive publications. North Carolina is referred to as the “Graveyard of the Atlantic” – more than 2,000 ships have sunk in these waters since people began keeping records in 1526, and Olympus Dive Center knows the best wrecks to dive off the coast of North Carolina!
The Diving
Minimum dive certification/experience: As most dive sites are between 90-120 feet, Advanced Open Water Diver and Enriched Air/Nitrox are required. Deep Diver certification preferred (we can do it on the trip).
Please note that these minimum dive requirements are set by the NC dive shop, not by us, so if you have any questions or doubts that you qualify, please contact them directly!
Wreck Diving: Some of the most impressive wrecks are the World War II casualties - vessels fallen prey to Hitler's U-boat fleet as they traversed the offshore waters, including tankers, cargo ships, British fishing trawlers, and even German submarines. You can also find a World War I gunboat, a late 18th-century schooner, an early 20th-century luxury liner as well as a number of vessels sunk purposefully as artificial reefs.
Sharks: North Carolina is fortunate to be a breeding ground for the Atlantic sand tiger shark. An impressive-looking but docile shark, sand tiger encounters are common occurrences in offshore waters. Often present in large numbers, the sharks range in size from four to over eight feet long! Sand tigers typically swim with their mouths open, smiling for photos, and proudly displaying three rows of ferocious teeth. Learn more about these fascinating animals and the threats they face; take the AWARE Shark Conservation Specialty on the trip!
Marine Life: The wrecks are the homes to an abundant variety of marine life. Rays the size of small cars, Loggerhead turtles nestled into the corner of a wreck taking 40 winks, octopus, eels, and massive schools of fish! Wrecks provide vital habitat for numerous species of fish, coral, and invertebrate marine life. You can get so much more out of these dives when you take the AWARE Fish ID Specialty with a focus on the South Atlantic States on the trip!
Macro: Who loves looking for the little stuff? We do! The wrecks contain loads of little critters and a keen eye will find you numerous small treasures including Seaweed Blennies, Sea Spiders, Nudibranchs, juvenile tropicals and that is just to get you started. Bring your Macro lenses and/or magnifying glass and prepare to be delighted with the intricate beauty of these little critters.
Travel & Lodging
Transportation and accommodations are not included in the price of the trip. However, we’re happy to help arrange carpools! We’ll be heading down Thursday, August 1 and returning on Monday, August 5.
Here are options for accommodation:
Upon cancellation of a reservation for any reason, the refund of the deposit and payments made or due will be contingent upon Blue Planet reselling the participant's reservation. Any refund may also be subject to a cancellation fee of $250 and payment of any non-refundable fees imposed by the tour company, dive operator or any other contractor associated with the trip.
Dive accident insurance is required for all divers on this trip. We strongly recommend travel insurance to protect your vacation investment. Contact us if you need more information.
4 days x 2-tank full-day boat trips
Dive weights if you don't have your own
Experienced Blue Planet dive pros will be available to dive with you and to coordinate fun topside activities
Air or Nitrox, aluminum or steel, 80 or 100 cf
Only weights included; rental gear available
Tips for the boat's excellent crew
Travel to and in NC
Different options available
There's a cooler on the boat if you'd like to bring lunch or snacks.
Arrive in Morehead City and check in at the dive shop. We'll get together for dinner and relax!
Each day we'll start the morning (early) with a 2-tank boat dive and then head back to shore. We'll schedule group dinners every evening for those who would like to join!
You can of course head back on Monday after the dives, but be safe and don't drive exhausted!
