Diving at dive site Aquarius Underwater Labaratory, one of the first underwater research centers.

Name Dive Site:	Aquarius Underwater Labaratory
Depth:	49-59ft (15-18m)
Inserted/Added by:	lars, © Author: Lars Hemel
Rated:	Rated 4.0, 1 votes
Specifications:

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The Aquarius Underwater Ocean Laboratory is a small research facility owned by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and administered by the National Undersea Research Program (NURP). Mostly Scientists from the University of North Carolina such as marine biologists and geologists live here during ten day missions while studying all kinds of environmental issues ranging from pollution, effects of divers and fish behaviour. Facilities inside are perfect with beds, showers, toilets, a refrigerator, a microwave, computer connections and all kinds of high tech scientific equipment. Visit their website www.uncw.edu/aquarius for more information about current research.

Aquarius was constructed in the 80's and served its first years at St Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Nowadays she is located just north of the marker buoy in Conch Reef at a depth of 60 feet at the edge of the wall since 1993. This research vessel attracts many invertebrates and fish such as jacks and tarpon. Check with local dive operators whether Aquarius is not only open to researchers and whether it is not at shore for maintenance. Don't enter the area when not allowed as there are many stories about divers who received huge fines and patrol boats waiting for you back at the boat.

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