Most divers prefer boat diving over shore diving, but you might be missing out on a lot by ignoring this wonderful way of entering the wat...
Most divers prefer boat diving over shore diving, but you might be missing out on a lot by ignoring this wonderful way of entering the water. Essentially, shore diving is when you approach the water from the shore instead of taking a boat and riding it to the middle of the sea. With shore diving, you’ll be walking a few feet from the shore before diving and to come back up, you’ll be doing the same thing.
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| Photo by Miles Hardacre from Pexels |
Now, a lot of people might think: why do this? Diving is mostly done to watch marine life and typically, these creatures are found far off the coast. You’ll be surprised to know however that this isn’t always the case – and that shore diving offers something boat diving can’t provide.
Perks of Shore Diving
So what exactly makes shore diving fun? Following are some of the benefits and perks you’ll find with this particular water experience.
Better Equipment Space
Imagine having to gear up in a cramped boat – trying to load all your equipment and making sure they all fit. This is a problem that you can easily avoid with shore diving. The whole coastline is your space, giving you free reign in your activities.
No Noisy Boat
You never have to contend with noisy boats during the dive. Since you’ll be starting from the shoreline, renting a boat becomes unnecessary. Of course, this also means you’ll be able to dive for a cheaper cost with only equipment rental as your major expense.
Seasickness
For people who suffer from seasickness yet still want to experience an underwater adventure, shore diving may be the perfect choice for you.
Dive In and Out of Islands
This is also another excellent benefit of shore diving. Depending on where you happen to be, you’re in the position to walk in and out of islands and just stay there for as long as you wish.
Excellent Views
Most people are of the opinion that the best marine life is found smack in the middle of the ocean – but this isn’t always the case. You might be surprised at just how beautiful the corals are even when near the shoreline. Think of it as traveling underwater and getting to see how the sea changes as you go deeper and deeper.
Perfect for Night Diving
You haven’t really lived until you’ve tried night diving. While the water might seem like a vibrant array of life during the day, night time offers it a very otherworldly vibe that might just impress you for more.
Some Disadvantages
Of course, don’t expect it to be all good. Even as you reap some rewards, it’s normal to also give up a few things in the process:
Requires Stamina
You usually have to walk around 40 to 50 feet before attempting a dive during shore diving. Don’t forget that it takes a long time to really reach the reefs where colorful marine life resides. Hence, shore diving is really for experts who have the stamina and experience to keep on swimming.
Food Issue
Food may be an issue if you’re shore diving – for the simple reason that you can’t bring food with you underwater. However, this is an easy enough problem to fix. Most shore divers simple ask for a boat to meet them in a specific destination and go there to eat. In some cases, islands have their own restaurants where divers can go to eat.
Best Places to Shore Dive
Unfortunately, you can’t shore dive just about anywhere. If you really want to make the most out of shore diving, it’s best to visit locations popular for this exact activity. Here are some examples of where you can go:
Hawaii
One of the top destinations for the beach life, Hawaii provides some of the most amazing marine life right off the shore. The great thing about this place is that the waters are always calm, which means that going there any time of the year is almost always perfect. A thriving tourist destination, Hawaii comes equipped with everything you need for diving so there’s really no need to pack your own gear.
Honduras
The Roatan reefs are only just 300 yards from the shoreline, which means that you don’t have to swim much in order to admire the underwater beauty of this location. Honduras is every bit as up to date as Hawaii so every hotel there actually has a 24/7 availability for shore diving.
Philippines
With islands numbering to more than 7,000, it isn’t really surprising that Philippines is a hotspot for diving – both through boat and through shore. You’ll find that there are numerous locations where you can shore dive, starting with Sabang in Mindoro. Here, you’ll be face to face with sharks, colorful fishes, and progressive reefs that are just a few minutes of swimming from the coast.
Bonaire
One of the best places to shore dive, Bonaire gives you access to dozens of starting points to enter the water. The waters are calm and clear, providing you with an impeccable view of an active and thriving sea life. Marine protection here is very strict so be prepared for an abundance of well protected angelfish, parrotfish, angelfish, and so much more!
Last Tips
Shore dives are best done with guides who are familiar with the lay of the sea. Remember: you’re starting from the shore so there’s really no boat to come back to when you surface. For most experienced divers, carrying a compass with them is enough to ensure that they wouldn’t get lost in the water.
For safety reasons, this is an activity best done with a group of friends. If this is your first time, it’s also a good idea to first study the water and find out as much as you can about the area such as water current, location, weather, and directions. Watching videos of different divers in your preferred dive site will offer you a glimpse of what you’re in for!
Offering an entirely new experience, shore dives are the next big thing when it comes to underwater adventure! (Posted by Dave Calpito)
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