Hyde - Wilmington NC

Hyde is a boat accessible salt water dive site, located in Wilmington, NC. This dive site has an average rating of 4.18 out of 5 from 38 scuba divers. The maximum depth is 81-90ft/25-27m. The average visibility is 36-40ft/11-12m.

In May of 1988, the 215-foot Hyde was deployed by the NC Department of Marine Fisheries in AR-386 located about 15 miles off Wrightsville Beach.

The Hyde is a 215 ft ocean going hopper dredge. It was built in 1945 in Wilmington Delaware and saw service in Atlantic, Pacific and Honolulu. It’s primary function was to keep waterways open for Naval ship traffic. Because the Hyde was constructed during WWII it was one of a few dredges outfitted with guns, armor, and a gun crew. Today the Hyde sits upright in 85ft of water 18 miles from Masonboro inlet. It was sunk by NC Division of Marine Fisheries in 1988.
The Hyde is one of the most popular wrecks in our area. It sits intact and upright on the bottom with a lot to see. Because it is upright it makes it very easy to navigate, just like you were walking her decks. The deck is around 65-70 ft which makes this a good dive for a novice diver wanting a little more experience. During the summer months this wreck gets over run with sand tiger sharks which make for incredible dives. Nurse sharks, sandbar sharks, turtles, and barracuda are not uncommon either.
Original Hyde Pamplets Used During Tours
http://www.wilmingtondiving.com/hyde.shtml
Web site for videos of various wreck sites in the area-
http://www.olympusdiving.com/PhotoGallery/VideoGallery/tabid/115/Default.aspx

Dive Site Map

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Dive Site Map

Comments

AquaPig - 10/08/2020 1:47 PM

I went scuba diving here on 7/17/2016. Average viz: 16-20ft/5-6m. Water temp: 71-75°F/22-24°C.

AquaPig - 10/07/2020 1:46 PM

Rating Added: 4
I’ve been to the Hyde a couple times. For the most part always had a great experience. There are usually a few sharks swimming around and I’ve seen a huge turtle come out of the wreck

GreggS - 7/05/2019 1:00 PM

I went scuba diving here on 7/3/2019. Average viz: 41-50ft/12-15m. Water temp: 76-80°F/24-27°C.
Great dives. Water was warm and clear with lots of sea life. Several 5-7 ft Sand Tigers around the wreck. It was the clearest water my wife had every dived in and she absolutely lived it.

Holovnia1 - 2/15/2018 8:31 PM

Rating Added: 5
My first charter after getting certified. Vis was great and I had a blast

GreggS - 8/20/2017 9:42 PM

I went scuba diving here on 8/20/2017. Average viz: 26-30ft/8-9m. Water temp: 76-80°F/24-27°C.
Nice, large wreck. While the outer hullis pretty much intact, years under water have taken a toll on the decks, which has created a lot of areas to drop down inside. There is a wide variety of sea life. Saw a stingray, some barracuda, and a few sand tiger sharks among other fish.

Coptrainer - 10/08/2016 11:31 AM

I went scuba diving here on 10/2/2016. Average viz: 11-15ft/3-5m. Water temp: 81-85°F/27-29°C.

Coptrainer - 10/07/2016 11:46 AM

I went scuba diving on the Hyde on 10/2/16 with the Safaris I crew. Visibility wasn’t as good as my last dive on the Hyde, but still a great dive. saw several Sand Tiger Sharks and some nice size Barracudas.

ScubaFLee - 10/07/2016 7:11 AM

I went scuba diving here on 10/2/2016. Average viz: 11-15ft/3-5m. Water temp: 71-75°F/22-24°C.
First Wreck Dive!! Two big sand tigers swimming inside the wreck. One even went through my legs!

Coptrainer - 9/04/2016 10:49 AM

I went scuba diving here on 7/10/2016. Average viz: 41-50ft/12-15m. Water temp: 71-75°F/22-24°C.
Saw many sand tiger sharks and amberjack.

Sharkyjones - 9/03/2016 12:16 PM

I went scuba diving here on 7/20/2016. Average viz: 41-50ft/12-15m. Water temp: 81-85°F/27-29°C.
Saw about 6 Sand Tigers, spade fish, and plenty of schooling fish. Currents across the deck were about a knot. Great dive

Sharkyjones - 9/03/2016 12:08 PM

Rating Added: 4
June - July 2016, Three dives here, good visibility, plenty of Sand Tigers in July, Plenty of other fish too.

Kaedan - 6/11/2015 11:07 AM

Rating Added: 5
Took a charter here. The water was amazing, excellent visibility, a lot of swim through areas on the wreck, with plenty of wildlife. Was extremely happy to get up close with a few of the sand tigers swimming through.