Railroad Bridge at slack tide or not?

[Dive-aholic]

Heading out to NJ next week. I'm planning on diving the Railroad Bridge on the 13th or 14th. I've always heard it's best to dive during high slack, and according to the tide charts I should be entering the water around 10:30-11am. My sister was recently told by someone in NJ that the best time to dive it is always around 5 or 6pm. So which is it and why?

 

[genxweb]

I read a few months ago in a northeast scuba mag that the bridge area is closed as they are replacing the bridge and will re-open in 2007. You may want to verify that before you go. Also you want to dive it at slack tide.

 

[Dive-aholic]

Thanks for the warning. We're heading down that way a few days before for some boat dives, so we'll swing by and check it out. We may just go over to Shark River Inlet instead.

 

[Surelyshirly]

slack tide diving at the railroad bridge cause of the currents around the pilings ofo the bridge and the piers. Hig or low idoesnt matter too much have dive both makes for a q14-20 foot dive but still the same dive

 

[Martini]

The bridge is definately closed right now as they are replacing the pilings. Try L street or shark river instead.

 

[Surelyshirly]

Dove the railroad bridge from Pt Pleasant / Gull Island on th 7/30 and there were 3 other groups there diving too. Pretty sure people are diving there

 

[grouchyturtle]

There was a construction barge there a few months back, but looked like construction was almost complete. Nothing saying it was closed, so we dove it.

You could probably get a good 2 hour dive if you time it right, but if you hit it between the slack tides current can rip.

 

[Dive-aholic]

So what's the best time to dive it? These are the days I can possibly make it out there:

Day High Tide Height Sunrise Moon Time % Moon
/Low Time Feet Sunset Visible

Th 10 Low 3:06 AM -0.6 6:03 AM Set 7:14 AM 99
10 High 8:54 AM 5.0 8:00 PM Rise 9:01 PM
10 Low 3:17 PM -0.3
10 High 9:13 PM 5.9

Sa 12 Low 4:36 AM -0.7 6:04 AM Set 9:50 AM 91
12 High 10:37 AM 5.3 7:57 PM Rise 9:51 PM
12 Low 4:59 PM -0.2
12 High 10:56 PM 5.4

Su 13 Low 5:20 AM -0.5 6:05 AM Set 11:05 AM 83
13 High 11:31 AM 5.3 7:56 PM Rise 10:17 PM
13 Low 5:52 PM 0.0
13 High 11:51 PM 5.0

M 14 Low 6:06 AM -0.3 6:06 AM Set 12:20 PM 73
14 High 12:25 PM 5.3 7:55 PM Rise 10:45 PM
14 Low 6:50 PM 0.4

Tu 15 High 12:47 AM 4.7 6:07 AM Set 1:35 PM 62
15 Low 6:57 AM 0.1 7:53 PM Rise 11:17 PM
15 High 1:19 PM 5.2
15 Low 7:57 PM 0.6

 

[Surelyshirly]

http://www.saltwatertides.com/dynamic.dir/newjerseysites.html#barnegat

Have to remember that bay tides are different than ocean tides. Above site excellent for each area.

Sounds like some early dives. let me know maybe I can join you

 

[Surelyshirly]

I PM you with the times for diving bridge. This week the times are earlier than you mentioned but ya gotta go with the tides. Still a nice relaxing dive