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When shore diving, you're the boat captain and divemaster. You get to determine the schedule and plan the route of every dive. However, beach entries and exits can sometimes be challening, especially when dealing with rocks and heavy surf. To get the most out of your next shore diving experience, follow these five diving tips.
1. Research the site. Get all the information you can on the dive site before you hit the beach. Check out maps, guidebooks, websites and charts for details of the diving conditions. And whenever possible, speak with local divers who've made the dive before to find out what you can expect.
2. Avoid underwater hazards. Keep your eyes peeled for underwater debris, rocks and other hazards as you enter water. If possible, find an alternate entry point when your encounter such obstacles.
3. Get geared up. Put on all of your gear excpet your fins, and then wade out into the water — watching for sharp objects underfoot — until you're in water that's roughly chest deep. With your mask and reg in place and your BC inflated, put on your fins and slowly head for deeper water.
4. Find a reference point on shore. Find a large stationary object on shore — buildings and trees work good — to use as a visual reference point. Use this object to find your way back to your entry point when you return to shore.
5. Exit underwater. Except when diving in big surf, it's usually easiest to return to the beach through the surf zone while underwater. To do this, become negatively buoyant, and swim toward the beach with the waves. If possible, swim underwater all the way to the shore's edge. The most effective method for exiting the water is often by crawling on your hands and knees. Wait until you're on the beach to take your fins off, and then head for the showers to wash off the sand.
