North Carolina
"Wrecks & Sharks"
with
Mike Gerken
at
Olympus Dive Center
Sun, July 26
to Wed, July 29, 2026
If you do not love diving with dozens of gnarly sharks then this trip is definitely not for you. It's July in North Carolina and that means it's time for the annual shark congregation on the wrecks there; specifically the Caribsea and Atlas. It is not impossible to see upwards of 150 large sharks in one encounter. The prolific sand tiger shark is the most popular resident and the easiest to photograph. Due to their passive behavior this timid shark species is approachable or should I say, they will approach you! With an iconic wreck as a backdrop it makes for exciting photography.
Join me for a four day charter, "NC Wrecks & Sharks" and allow me to share my 25+ years of experience diving NC with you. To see it is to believe it. Workshops, presentations, cookouts will be scheduled along with evening dining. If you are not a photographer you are more than welcome to participate as long as you love sharks.
In addition, this years Wrecks & Sharks falls immediately after the NC Wreck•Shark Shootout also at Olympus. You could do both events back to back! That's nine days in a row!
Email [email protected] to enroll.
Follow me on Facebook for additional news.
All the best,
-Mike
Location: Olympus Dive Center, Morehead City, NC
Dates: Sun, July 26 to Wed, July 29, 2026
Dive Vessel: The M/V "Midnight Express" (I was captain of for 5 seasons)
Minimum Certification: Advanced Open Water Diver with minimum 25 dives; one being within the last 12 months of trip date and 2 ocean dives. Note: this trip is not for beginner divers even with an AOW certification.
Conditions: 72-80F, Vis 20'-100'+, Be prepared for challenging open ocean conditions with choppy seas and current. Dive cancellations are common due to foul weather. Patience, persistence and a general positive attitude are required. If you do not possess these traits and will get angry due to cancelled days, then NC diving is not for you.
Trip Cost (subject to Olympus 2025 rate increase if any)
$950.00
What's Included:
• 4 days of diving; 2 recreational dives per day; no decompression diving.
• Profession guide and photo service by Mike Gerken
• 90 Minute Photo Workshop
• Presentations
• Lo-Country Boil on the doc with beer, wine and beverages included
Not Included:
• Tanks, rental equipment
• Nitrox
• Accommodations
• Dive Accident Insurance - Strongly Recommended
• Trip Insurance - Strongly Recommended
• Crew Gratuities (typically $10-$20 pp/pd)
Recommended Accommodation
Air BnB - Ask Mike about the AirBnB house share
Bask Hotel - Directly across the street from the dive shop; Olympus customer discount available
Hampton Inn - 10 minute drive from dive shop; Olympus customer discount available
Contact Mike for assistance.
Daily Schedule
Sat July 25 - Arrive during the day to sign forms, load the boat and take care of any last minute gear issues.
Sat July 25 6pm - Meet & Greet; Attend the Wreck•Shark Shootout Awards Dinner at the Promise Land Market and see what the hub-bub is all about. (Pre-payment and reservation required.)
Sun 6am - 1st day of diving - Don't Be Late!
Sun 5-6pm - Photo Workshop
Mon 6am - 2nd day of diving
Mon 4pm - Presentations
Tue 6am - 3rd Day of diving
Tue 4pm - Lo-Country Boil on the Dock
Wed 6am - 4th and last day of diving
Wed 3pm - Sad Farewells
CCR Divers are welcome
•CCR divers must bring proof of certification for their specific units. No exceptions.
•Request Olympus CCR requirement form from Mike
To Sign Up:
Email [email protected] to get your application. Fill it out, sign and email it back. Invoice with payment instructions to follow shortly thereafter.
Terms & Conditions
• $300 Deposit Required to secure your reservation. $150 of it is non-refundable regardless of when attendee cancels.
• Forfeit $300 if cancellation within 120 days.
• Final payment due 90 days prior to event start date. No refunds within 90 days.
• Venmo, Zelle, Wise, PayPal, bank wires accepted.
• If remitting payment electronically without an invoice from merchant there might not be buyer protection.
• In the event of a cancellation(s) due to bad weather or mechanical
failure each diver will be refunded the cost of the daily charter rate only for each day cancelled. Presently, this is $185.00 per full day.
• Myself and the captains want you to experience the best NC diving has to offer but not at the expense of safety. Diving close to shore may be required where conditions may be less desirable.
• In the unlikely event that all 4 days of diving are canceled on site and not prior to the start date there will be full refund minus $175 to cover the cost of admin fees and caterer.
• If the entire event is canceled prior to the start date due to public health concern or hurricane there will be 100% refund issued minus $50.00 admin fee.
• The cookout, workshops, presentations, admin fees and professional guide services are all included in the cost of the package.
• In the event of abnormally high fuel prices in 2024 Olympus Dive Center reserves the right to add a fuel surcharge pp/per day of diving to the total cost of your package. The charge will be subject to the price of fuel at that time and can range from $0.00 to $30.00 per day. (i.e. it was $20.00 per day in 2022). The fee will be collected by Olympus the morning of each charter upon check-in. Notifications will be sent out 2 weeks prior to event start date confirming the surcharge rate if any.
• Once an application is received it will be reviewed and event manager will contact you with any questions before sending an itemized invoice with payment instructions.
• Reservation will not be final until deposit received. It is a first-come/first-serve basis.
Travel Insurance
It is strongly recommended to purchase travel insurance a in the event of a cancellation due to health crisis, travel delay, work issue or another unforeseen crisis. Without this protection you could lose your deposit or worse the entire trip amount. Please do not place the event leader in a difficult situation of denying refund requests when you are having to cancel.
Dive Accident Insurance
It is strongly recommended to purchase dive accident insurance such as Divers Alert Network (DAN) in the event of a diver related injury such as DCS.
Watch This & Get Excited About NC Shark Diving!
Filmed & Produced by Mike Gerken
