Shore Diving Tips

[BIGG_BUDD]

Hello All,

I"ll be visinting Florida in a couple of months, and would like to take a stab at shore diving. The problem is, I've never done a shore dive (except quarries). All of my ocean dives have been from a boat.

That being said, I need help constructing a dive plan. What types of considerations do I need to make before I step in the water, and what do I need to do once the dive is underway? What are the crucial steps to this type of dive? As a land locked Texan, I have no idea what I need to do...

Any advice is appreciated. My hope is to hook up with a local and have them show me the ropes. But if that doesn't happen, I need to know what I'm getting into. I've been certified for about 2.5 years, have around 50 ocean dives, and am OW and Nitrox certified. Is this beyond my skillset?

Thanks.

 

[HowardE]

What part of Florida are you planning on visiting, and where do you hope to shore dive?

 

[BIGG_BUDD]

I'll be in FTL and Venice over two weeks in July. I've done boat dives out of FTL, but trying to get more dives in for my buck. I've heard shore diving in both places is prime. The Venice trip is exclusively for shark teeth.

 

[TSandM]

I think a lot of shore diving is in the planning. What you don't get with shore diving is a captain who knows the site, tides, currents and other considerations that will make one site preferable to another, or one time better than another. In the PNW, we constantly have to be aware of currents, which can make a place completely undiveable if you get there at the wrong time. In Monterey, they watch the swells. I would assume surf conditions are an issue in Florida, and are affected by winds.

Entries and exits are important in shore diving. They can range from a simple walk down a sand beach to a clamber over rocks, or a short trip down a boat ramp which turns out to be slippery as an eel.

At least in our area, several dive shops have nice websites with information about popular local sites, including driving directions and site maps. If you know the name of the site and Google it, you may come up with something similar. We also have a book of local shore dives, which is something most of us come to own, and there may be something similar for the area you'll be visiting.

You'll need to have any kind of marker (dive flag, float, etc.) with you that is required or advisable for the site, and know how to manage it underwater.

Navigation is little more demanding for shore diving, since you need to be able to return to your exit point.

On the other hand, shore diving's great. You can take as long as you want to get ready (unless you're having to dive at slack). You can be in the water as long as your gas or your deco limits or your thermal tolerance will let you stay there. And there's a sense of adventure in reading up on a site and going and diving it for the first time -- It doesn't always work out perfectly (I've done some LONG dives over plain sand in Maui because we never found the reef) but it makes for good stories, anyway.

Have fun with your trip!

 

[Wolfie2012]

Fill Express has some good information on the Datura Ave. shore dive. I've done it several times and always enjoyed it. Watch the current and the fact that it could differ at the surface and at depth, even with direction. Otherwise, the shore entry is pretty easy. You can see some other tips and some sample dive plans on the fill express page.

http://www.fillexpress.com/library/datura.shtml

 

[HowardE]

FTL - Fort Lauderdale?? Well... If you dive near Commercial Blvd (aka - LBTS - Lauderdale-by-the-sea) (Entering anywhere 1/2 mile North or South of the pier) You just walk in to the ocean. Swim out about 200 yards (there's buoys - marking the swimmers zone) and drop down... you're on the reef. It gets a little thicker to the east of that, but it's really easy. You can't miss it.

The only easier shore dive I have ever done was when I stayed at CoCo View in Roatan. But that's not important...

It's a very very easy shore dive, as long as the waves are less than 2' - if it's more than that - we usually don't go. Generally the currents are VERY mild, and easy to swim against. I usually swim against the current for the first 3/4 (an hour or so) of the dive, and then swim with the current for the last 1/4 (15-20 minutes) and I'm usually back where I started.

If you post in the Florida Conch Forum - and say when you want to dive... I'm sure someone will dive with you.

 

[musicalmike]

As said already, I hope you have a primary dive site in mind. You also want to have a secondary location available, just in case your primary site is unsafe.
Beach diving can be a bit more challenging then quarry or boat diving. It is important to assess the conditions in the days prior to the dive and when arriving at the site. Wind, waves, and current are the primary factors. The entry and exit points as well as time, depth, and objectives should also be discussed.
Make sure you mark your entry point and have a surface float and flag with anchor. Probably the most crucial part of a beach dive is the "surf" entry. If there is no or little surf present then you may be able to suit up in full gear and walk into the water with your fins in hand. Of course with a full BC. If the surf is above waist high, you will need to put on your fins and do the side shuffle into the surf. Stopping every foot or two to maintain balance and brace for the possible oncoming wave. Your regulator must be in your mouth when entering through the surf zone. This is just in case you are knocked over by a wave. If you are knocked over by a wave, it is best to stay on your stomach and continue into and under the oncoming waves. Kick hard and stay on the bottom untill you are past the surf zone. Then surface and regroup.
The visibility tends to be a bit limited on a beach dive, so stay close to your buddy. Oh yea, don't foget to start your dive against the current.
Good luck.

 

[drrich2]

I've shore dove with my wife & friend in Bonaire. The main things we learned were:

1.) Don't put your fins on until you're in maybe 4 feet of water. Makes walking in far & away easier. Take them off on your way out in 3 or 4 feet of water; makes walking out way easier.

2.) You and a buddy can, if need be, stand facing parallel to the beach, facing each other, lock arms, & alternately take a step, working your way in side-ways, to help steady each other.

We didn't have to do 2.) much, but 1.) made a huge difference.

Richard.

 

[HowardE]

musicalmike - Welcome to the board.

Shore diving in Florida is MUCH MUCH EASIER than a shore dive in California.

Surf zone - is non-existant... if it is... we don't dive.

Max depth is approx 15 FSW.

We usually enter and exit at the same point....

Enter the water, with fins in hand, and wade out until you're almost neck deep before putting on your fins...

Viz here is usually 25-40 feet.

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Also - REMEMBER - A DIVE FLAG on a float is a MUST - it's a FLORIDA LAW. You must tow a buoy with a dive flag that is at least 12" - or you can be busted by the sheriff's department or the FWC.

 

[BIGG_BUDD]

Good stuff folks. I appreciate the guidance. Sounds like I need to 1) pick the site, 2) learn as much as possible re: conditions at that site, 3) first 3/4 of dive against the current... Any other words of wisdom?

Howarde - Yes, I'll post something in the FCD sub forum once I have the dates worked out. Thanks for the tip on COmmercial Blvd.