industrious95
Contributor
Shark River can be a great dive; there are restrictions between Memorial Day & Labor Day on the inlet. I've always entered at the Ocean Ave bridge. Most divers seem to prefer entering on the south side of the bridge. I think the rocks are an easier climb there, but that may have changed in the years since I dove there.
The trick is to enter the water 20 mins before high tide. The tide pulls you inland. Than you get about 20 minutes of slack. Then the current changes and you get a 20 minute ride back to your entry point. And the current really moves. You want to pay attention.
You must have a dive flag; the bridge-keepers and CG will are looking and a few divers have gotten nailed. Unfortunately, the dive flag won't protect you from fishermen, who don't seem to care. You're not supposed to go anywhere into the center of the river, you're supposed to stay close to the rocks.
The local dive shop, Divers Two, has organized trips to the "back bay" on a regular basis. I don't believe there is any charge to go with them. I've never done the back bay, but other divers that have done it say it is a wonderful dive. There's a lot of breeding going on back there so lots of aquatic life to see.
Here's a link to a local dive website with Shark River Regulations & tips
The trick is to enter the water 20 mins before high tide. The tide pulls you inland. Than you get about 20 minutes of slack. Then the current changes and you get a 20 minute ride back to your entry point. And the current really moves. You want to pay attention.
You must have a dive flag; the bridge-keepers and CG will are looking and a few divers have gotten nailed. Unfortunately, the dive flag won't protect you from fishermen, who don't seem to care. You're not supposed to go anywhere into the center of the river, you're supposed to stay close to the rocks.
The local dive shop, Divers Two, has organized trips to the "back bay" on a regular basis. I don't believe there is any charge to go with them. I've never done the back bay, but other divers that have done it say it is a wonderful dive. There's a lot of breeding going on back there so lots of aquatic life to see.
Here's a link to a local dive website with Shark River Regulations & tips