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Dive Review of olympus dive center in
The Continental USA/north carolina

olympus dive center, Jul, 2005,

by guy johnson, illinois, usa . Report 1751 has 1 Helpful vote.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 3 stars Food 3 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving 3 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 5 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments We flew into Railegh-Durham airport, rented a car for the drive to Morehead City, North Carolina.The boat was excellant for the type (wreck) diving we did.There was o2, and first aid kits on board, plenty of dry areas for dressing/cameras.etc.and a clean and functional head.Excellant underseat gear storage that was locked up each evening after diving.Plenty of deck space to relax, sunbath, etc.coolers for food/beverages and fresh water available.We had a choice of alum 80s or 100s..we choose the 100s.All airfills were in the 3200-3500 range, never a shortfill! Nitrox is available for a slight increase in cost.While about 20 minutes from the dive site a call to gear up a given.Once on site a very thorough briefing was given.Divers, once geared up followed one of two paths to a giant stride entry. Once in the water any camera gear was lowered by staff.The camera rinse barrel could be abit larger.A series of lines were placed under the boat to direct us to the wreck.These also had regulaters for anyone who ran short on air.This system of lines was well thought out and worked very well.It made for an easy return to the boat and for safety stops.There are two ladders on the stern of the "fins on" type.Once on the stern deck area,the staff ask you how your dive went and helped in removing your fins, which are handed back to you once you are securely on deck...nice touch!
We dove the wrecks of the Indra,Suloide,Papoose,Boxwreck,and the famous German submarine, the U-352.Huge schools, vertually "walls" of fish on every dive..and plenty of eels, rays and of course the huge sand tiger sharks the area is known for.the dive shop is well tended with Lauren Hermley running a very smooth operation.George Purifoy was the perfect host/owner/captain/story teller, etc.even with a busy day he always had time to treat his divers to a tale or just to help..Matt from Iowa City was a perfect divemaster who stayed on top of everything.The boat rides to most wrecks were in the two hour range,and most dives are over 110ft the surface intervals were also in the two hour range so bring some sunscreen.We stayed at the shops Dive Lodge less than two blocks from the dock.The cost was very reasonable and lended to the kamerady of the divers.The lodge while not fancy had all we needed. A clean safe place to sleep, fool around with our gear and chat with other diver.The Lodge is made up of simple bunk beds, some rooms having four bunks and other having eight bunks.Separate and ample shower/toliets and sinks for both males and females. A lounging area with tv and small kitchen area were also included.Free parking is included at the lodge.We have dove in the tropics and seen all the colorful fish and corals but the huge schools of fish on each wreck must be seen to to believed.We had one divers tank fall and crush his air-II unit,Divemaster Matt jumped right in and expertly repaired it in minutes with no lost dives and no frowns.All the staff were very friendly and professional.We found meals at various nearby restaurants to be good and fair priced.This is trip to be repeated every year!Other than the small rinse barrel for the cameras, the only possible comment we had was that the other divers seldom showed up on time to depart, which meant that those of us who did arrive on time had to cool our jets and wait...otherwise a great trip!!We'll be back!!

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 501-1000 dives
Where else diving honduras, florida, bahamas, cozumel, caymans, great lakes
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, dry Seas calm
Water Temp 75-77°F / 24-25°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 60-70 Ft/ 18-21 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions none, we were allowed to dive our own profiles.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles None Whales None
Corals 1 stars Tropical Fish 1 stars
Small Critters 4 stars Large Fish 5 stars
Large Pelagics 5 stars

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

Subject Matter 1 stars Boat Facilities N/A
Overall rating for UWP's N/A Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments [None]
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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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