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Dive Review of Olympus Dive Center in
The Continental USA/Morehead City, NC

Olympus Dive Center: "Great Wreck Dives and Sand Tiger Sharks", Aug, 2021,

by Patrick Lynch, GA, US ( 2 reports with 1 Helpful vote). Report 11726 has 1 Helpful vote.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations N/A Food N/A
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 4 stars
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments Dove 3 days on their "full Day trips". It is a long (2+ hour) ride on the boat to the wrecks off the coast, many of them sunk by German U-boats. Fortunately the weather cooperated and we got out all 3 days for 2 tank dives each day. At one site (The Caribe Sea Wreck) we stayed at that location for both dives because the Sand Tigers Sharks were there in large numbers and well worth a second look. Good penetration opportunities at some of the wrecks and some Sand Tigers at several of them. There was abundant life on all of the dives including large numbers of baitfish, Barracuda, Toadfish, Octopus, filefish, flounder, Spotted Morays, Spotted Drum, Spadefish, Snapper etc.
The dive op was very professional and the dive line setup very good and easy to follow. Very good briefing for each site and use of the downline system and ascent on the lines. Ladders were fin-on type and the staff gave good recommendations how to use them. Once back on the boat the staff removed your fins to make the return to you station easier and safer. On the 3rd day the Captain started having divers leave their fins off until they reached the entry points on the side of the boat. The staff then put your fins on while you stood and held on to the rails. This led to a safer and easier walk to the entry point. The boat had plenty of space on deck and seating below for the long ride out. Plenty of drinking water was provided and there was a fridge, large coolers and microwave available for divers to store and heat their lunches they brought. No large rinse tanks masks but defog and fresh water hose for rinsing.
The dive shop and tank area personnel are helpful. Check-in was straight forward and tank pick-up and Nitrox analyzer station well situated. You pick up your tank, analyze then load it on the boat at your chosen spot. It is beneficial to get there early to choose your spot. You remove your gear and return your tanks at the end of each day, but you can pick up your tanks for the next day and put them in your spot before you leave for the day usually.
You rent your tanks (unless you have your own)for each day. They have several size choices and offer Al or steel. Prices are listed on their site. It is not cheap diving but I thought it was well worth my dive dollars.
Websites Olympus Dive Center   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 251-500 dives
Where else diving All over the Caribbean, Key Largo, Socorro, Cozumel, Raja Ampat Indonesia, Maui, Kona, Sea of Cortez
Closest Airport Wilmington, NC (ILM) Getting There I drove from the Atlanta, GA area and picked up my buddy at ILM.

Dive Conditions

Weather Seas choppy, no currents
Water Temp 80-75°F / 27-24°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 60-70 Ft/ 18-21 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile ?
Enforced diving restrictions At least 25 dives,Advanced Cert preferred but OW with experience accepted. Min of 2 dives below 70ft, At least 2 dives in previous 12 months, At least 2 boat dives. Al listed on website.
Non DECO dive, No solo divers (if I recall correctly)
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available?

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles None Whales None
Corals N/A Tropical Fish N/A
Small Critters 3 stars Large Fish 3 stars
Large Pelagics 5 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter 5 stars Boat Facilities N/A
Overall rating for UWP's N/A Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments I only use my GoPro so can't offer meaningful rating on camera facilities.
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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