Sand Tiger Sharks on the Hyde Wreck 

While many people know that the North Carolina coast is known as the "Graveyard of the Atlantic", far fewer know that the North Carolina coast is also one of the best places to experience a close encounter with one of our larger shark species, the sand tiger shark. Sand tiger sharks frequently grow to 8-10 feet in length and can weigh as much as 350 pounds. Although sand tiger sharks have a particularly menacing look, they are generally quite docile unless molested or antagonized. They are, however, quite willing to challenge divers spear fishing so most experienced North Carolina boat captains do not allow spear fishing on wrecks where sand tigers are known to congregate. One of the places sand tigers routinely hang out is near the Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach area of North Carolina on an artificial wreck known as the Hyde.

The Hyde is one of our favorite dives off the North Carolina coast for a number of reasons. Of course the sand tiger sharks are the main attraction and they stay on the wreck from May through October of each year. We are not truly sure why the sand tigers choose to hang out at the Hyde but we certainly appreciate it! The Hyde was an ocean going hopper dredge that was originally built in WWII and sunk as an artificial reef in 1988. Over the past two decades sand tiger sharks started hanging out at the wreck. During the summer there are often a dozen or more sharks lazily swimming around the wreck or hanging motionless at the bow or stern. Sand tiger sharks are unique in that they deliberately surface to swallow a small amount of air to maintain neutral buoyancy under water. This technique enables them to float motionless similar to a neutrally buoyant diver. Seeing them hovering without moving can be a bit unnerving but not nearly as much as having one slowly show up behind you while diving!

In addition to the sand tigers, we like the Hyde because it is upright in the sand and a great dive for new divers to expand their skills and experience. The sandy bottom is at 84 feet and the wreck extends up to 60 feet which is perfect for gaining additional experience. Hurricane Irene tore up the Hyde a bit this past summer so the wreck is starting to look more and more like a true North Carolina wreck.

We dive this wreck several times each year and never really grow tired of it. There are large cargo compartments to explore, very large sand tiger sharks to see, and interesting souvenirs to find like sand tiger teeth! Contact the shop if you want to go diving with us on the Hyde or any other wreck off the North Carolina coast!