Beach Diving-Tides?

[fisherkid]

Is there a best tide to do a beach dive on? I would think if tide would matter you'd want to have the incoming tide help you come in at the end of the dive.

So, experienced beach divers my question to you is Incoming, Outgoing, or "why is this person wasting my time with this question".

Thanks,
Adam

 

[String]

Impossible to answer as depends entirely on local topography and conditions as to which is safer.

Also you need to factor in the weather (specifically wind).

Oh and the actual size of the tidal range (to avoid a 2 mile walk through sand) and the currents it produces.

 

[Van Isle]

I wouldn't say you're wasting time with this question, but most of the time the tide doesn't really play a role in how I plan my dives. I almost always check the tide, so I can anticipate levels for the entry/exit and maybe choose a different site if tide levels were "extreme" for a site, and it's nice to anticipate currents. But unless you're diving right at the end of an inlet or other such funnel feature, tidal changes don't usually cause a current that would push you right back to your entrance point.

VI

 

[String]

Most of northern europe has a large tidal range that can produce strong currents mid tides. Here for example its a 7m (24ft) range on a spring which can do many things. Arrive at low tide and you'll walk on sea beaches quite literally miles to get to the sea. Arrive at high water and risk the current taking you out and so on.

Dive planning in lots of the world the very first thing considered are the tides (not just beach dives) as that will tell you what sites are available and safe and at what times of day. Then you factor weather then everything else.

 

[sambolino44]

In my experience, the answer is "it depends". It depends on too many other factors to be answered in a poll this simple. I do mostly shore dives in Puget Sound. I always check the tide predictions before diving, but often more important than tide level is current speed and direction. You can extrapolate current from a tide table, but I usually try to find a current prediction for the site I'm going to. Even then most places have their own little quirks which make some kind of correction from the published table necessary, and these corrections can only be made after lots of experience at the site, either my own or other divers'.

I've heard generalizations like, "it's best to dive on high slack before a small exchange" or whatever. In my experience, that kind of advice is of limited value, because there are usually so many other factors involved. I've also heard that visibility is better on ebb, but that's another generalization that's sometimes just not true.

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

You need to add slack tide.

 

[String]

Not every place has a slack water. Its also not always on local high/low water. And can sometimes only last for 5 minutes.

In theory you should get better visibility diving in places that are inlets or estuaries on an incoming tide (due to not getting all the silt being sucked from the rivers) but that really isnt a very accurate guide.

Best advice for diving ANY new site (shore or boat) is to ask local advice from people they know. Its just impossible to predict otherwise unless you're very lucky and live in a rare physically perfect text book location.

If you want more semi-useless information about tide planning look up the rules of 12s and rules of 6s to work out expected flow rate and height.

 

[TMHeimer]

Are there any large live shells(mollusks) that I can collect low tide that I can add to my personal ( somewhat scientific) shell collection.

 

[themagni]

Be alert - when the tide is coming in, there is significant undertow.

So, if you plan to swim out to some distance, then drop down and dive back with the tide, you will be in for a bit of a surprise. This was learned first-hand.

 

[jridg]

The question is extremely location dependent.

In San Diego, I don't really worry about it much as the tidal change isn't huge.

In Venice, FL - same thing - don't really worry much.

In WA state - the tide can cause currents that will take you to Japan! (not literally - well, sort of)

Your best bet is to determine what the tide changes do to the water where you are planning on diving. Also talk to the local dive shops and divers and ask what they do.

Hope that helps....