Aquatic Safaris SCUBA Center, Inc.

From shallow liberty ships teeming with marine life to deep offshore freighters sunk in 120 feet, Aquatic Safaris puts you on North Carolina's best wrecks and ledges — including the Hyde and Markham, where resident sand tiger sharks make every summer dive unforgettable.

Operating out of Bridge Tender Marina near Wrightsville Beach since 1988, Aquatic Safaris runs daily dive charters aboard two USCG-certified custom boats: a Sea Hawk Dive Master 36′ and an Island Hopper Pro 48′. The charter menu spans more than 20 named sites ranging from shallow inshore wrecks like the Alexander Ramsey Liberty Ship (25–50 ft, just 3 miles out) to deep offshore targets like the 18 Fathom Wreck (100–120 ft, 59 miles offshore), with prices scaling by distance and depth from $90 to $220 per person. The captains are the business owners themselves, and crew members are experienced divers — many holding Divemaster or SCUBA instructor credentials. Wreck diving is the heart of the operation. Highlights include the Hyde, a 215-ft hopper dredge sitting upright in 85 ft of water that hosts resident sand tiger sharks through the summer, and the Markham, resting on her side in 80 ft with schools of baitfish, amberjack, mackerel, barracuda, and occasional sand tiger sharks. Further offshore, the John D. Gill (WR-4), sunk in 1942 and resting in 90 ft, offers visibility routinely in the 60–80 ft range and encounters with tropical fish, rays, sea turtles, corals, grouper, and barracuda. The Normannia and Cassimir round out a deep-water wreck lineup considered among the best on the East Coast. Beyond charters, Aquatic Safaris offers a full slate of PADI certification courses from Open Water through specialty programs including Wreck Diver, Nitrox, Deep Diver, Drift Diver, and more. The shop also organizes destination travel — including an annual Roatan fall getaway — and partners with UNCW MarineQuest to provide diving instruction and charters for teen summer camps. Gear sales, rentals, equipment maintenance, and tank fills round out a comprehensive full-service dive center.

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Wilmington, United States · departs from Bridge Tender Marina

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