Recreational divers and professional divers enjoy shore diving because of its accessibility. It is a great way to quickly go on an adventure with your diving group, without having to spend the whole day traveling to a spot. You would only need to dedicate a couple of hours and go back to your normal schedule for the day.
If you want to make the most out of your time shore diving, here are some tips and tricks to keep in mind:
1. Always check the surf forecast.
Safety must always come first, regardless of where you are diving. To make sure you are able to avoid possible mishaps and accidents, check the surf forecast before you head out. Tides, wind and surf will all affect your dive. Larger surf can make your entry more risky, so stick to lower surf whenever possible. Utilize sites like Swellwatch and Surfline or lifeguard reports on your areas to be updated with the forecasts.
2. Select your entry and exit points carefully.
Ideally, you should be choosing the safest spots to enter and exit the water. Sandy areas are better entry points compared to mossy rocks, which are slippery. High tide entries are also safer than low tides, which can expose rocky parts of the water. Spend some time observing the surf and time your entry accordingly. Make sure that your BCD is inflated before you dive in your entry point.
3. Protect your gear.
It is not uncommon for divers to lose or damage their expensive scuba gears. While there will always be a risk of losing or damaging your gear, there are couple of simple things you can do to minimize the risk.
Remember to:
4. Wear protective booties.
Hard-soled booties are the best kind of protective footwear to wear when diving. These will protect your feet even when the terrain is uneven or rocky. The right kind of scuba shoes will also reduce foot fatigue and improve your dive.
5. Bring warm water during cold months.
During the colder seasons, having warm water with you comes in handy. The open sea can get really cold and you will definitely feel that after the dive. Pour warm water on your wetsuit and you will instantly feel refreshed.
6. Expect the unexpected with a scuba dive kit.
Be prepared for common injuries and illness when out in the ocean with a scuba diving first aid medical kits. The kits are small and will help you handle almost anything that comes your way.
