Marathon Thunderbolt Wreck Dive Trip

FOR LAST MINUTE RESERVATIONS OR TRIPS NOT AVAILABLE ONLINE, PLEASE GIVE US A CALL AT (305) 743-2444.  

This activity requires a minimum of 5 divers.  If you are booking your T-Bolt Dive within two days of your dive trip departure and you have less than the minimum required passengers, please contact us by phone @ 305-743-2444 between the hours of 8AM & 5PM.  We can give you an update as to the number of divers and we can get to work to try to fulfill the minimum requirement.

Thunderbolt Wreck Dive Trip

Join Captain Hook’s Dive Team for a THUNDERBOLT WRECK DIVE on the 189-foot cable layer that later served as a research vessel to explore the electrical energy of lightning strikes.  Since the local dive community purchased the Thunderbolt and sank it back on March 3, 1986, it has been a main attraction here in the Middle Keys.  It is a whole but dynamic ecosystem itself, and divers enjoy it every time they dive this wreck. We have affectionately nicknamed it the T-BOLT.

IT IS AN ADVANCED DIVE!

Our approach to diving the T-BOLT usually goes like this:  It is conducted as a part of our normal morning dive schedule, and it often takes the place of the Dive Trip - Morning.  Give us a call, and tell us if you are interested in a T-BOLT dive, and let us know how long you will be in the Keys so we can work the schedule to get you on this wreck.  We will then change the availability of the Morning or Afternoon Dive to a Thunderbolt Wreck Dive and push to reach the minimum for the dive.  We need a minimum of 3 divers for this trip.  If you have three divers with enough experience to dive the T-BOLT, then you are good to go. The T-BOLT is an advanced dive with 120-foot to the sand and the back propellers.  There is often a current on this vessel which can make it a real challenge.

WE ARE FLEXIBLE!

The T-BOLT dive is not a standard trip that is scheduled for a particular day of the week or time, and yet it is one of our most popular dives.  When a diver shows an interest in diving the T-BOLT, and they let us know, we go to work to fill the trip and make it happen.  It usually takes the place of one of our scheduled daily reef trips.

Normally, the T-BOLT dive is a morning dive, first to the wreck and then a second dive on a shallower reef.  Two locations...two dives.  We often do a "Double T-BOLT with the right surface time considered, and it is a great way to get to know the wreck.  Do not miss the opportunity to dive this wreck!  If you feel you are not ready, we offer a PADI Specialty Course specific to Wreck Diving which can get you prepared to dive this wreck. 

INCLUDED WITH DIVE

Tanks, Air, Weights and Weight Belt are included. Do you need any other rental gear?  If so, you will have the opportunity to order additional gear once you confirm the dates that you are diving.  We offer an in-water dive guide whom you can choose to follow, or you can go exploring with a buddy on your own.  The dive guide will be diving Recreational Dive Tables.  Gloves and underwater lights are recommended.

SOME RESTRICTIONS

The corridor of the wreck is at 108 feet.  Junior divers are restricted to a 70 foot maximum.  No Junior divers are allowed to dive on this wreck.  The Thunderbolt Wreck Dive requires three divers for the trip to be a go.  Once we receive a request for the T-BOLT dive, by one or two divers, we go to work to fill the dive to the minimum requirement of three divers or more.  Most often, we are successful in meeting the minimum requirement, but it is always a good idea to book the Thunderbolt Wreck Dive in advance.

Requirements

• Advanced Open Water Diver.
• Proof of Advanced certification (Certification Card)
  
• If it has been more than one year since your last scuba dive, you will be required to dive your first dive accompanied by one of our complementary dive guide.
• If it has been over 2 years since your last scuba dive, you will be required to take a Scuba Refresher course.

Schedule 

• Departure times: 8:30AM and 1:00PM
• Duration: 4 hours (approx.)
• Check-in time: Please check in 60 minutes before the departure time. (Important!)
• Check-in location:  Capt. Hook's Marina & Dive Center located @ 11833 Overseas Highway at Vaca Cut Oceanside
• Departure point: Detailed check-in instructions - including address, Google map,
  and parking information will be included in your final confirmation
  email.

Includes 

• Air, Tanks, Weights and Weight Belt are included with your dive trip price.
• Freshwater showers at the dock.

Additional Considerations 

• Dive equipment is available to rent or you can bring your own equipment.
• Gratuities (optional)

What To Bring

• Confirmation Email 
• Bathing suit
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• You may bring your own scuba equipment.
  

Notes

• It is always a good idea to stop in to see us @ Capt. Hook's Marina & Dive Center located @ 11833 Overseas Highway at Vaca Cut Oceanside when you arrive in Marathon.  We love to see our adventurers before the events so we can get to know you, make friends and provide you with any detailed information about your activity.
  
• As with any activity that requires Mother Nature to cooperate, this activity may be cancelled due to wind, weather, visibility and sea conditions in which case you will be allowed to reschedule (subject to availability), receive full refund, store credit or receive credit for a future event/dive trip.
• This activity needs a minimum of 5 divers. If the minimum is not met, the activity may be cancelled in which case you will be allowed to reschedule (subject to availability), receive full refund, store credit or receive credit for a future event/dive trip.
• Guests cannot participate if under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or have any existing medical conditions that put them or others at risk.  You are responsible to make sure you are medically qualified to participate in this activity.

Advance Purchase Recommended

Upon booking, you will receive your receipt in a email confirmation.  We recommend booking in advance to ensure your space on the boat.

Booking Confirmation Info

Bring your email confirmation with you on the day of your activity, if you have booked in advance.