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Drift Diving Tips: Plan, Gear Up and Go with the Flow
Fly Like Superman: A Guide to Drift Diving
Imagine gliding underwater like Superman as reef scenery passes beneath you. That is the appeal of drift diving: letting the current carry you through the dive. It can be exhilarating, but it takes planning, knowledge and respect for the sea. This guide covers the essentials.
Contents
What Is Drift Diving, and How Do You Prepare?
On a drift dive, you use the water’s natural current to move. You enter at one point and finish at another, where the dive boat picks you up. The briefing is essential. Listen carefully to your dive leader and make sure you understand the current’s direction, the planned route and the agreed hand signals. You and your buddy should both know what to do if you become separated.
How to Dive with the Current
Stay calm and move with the water. Keep your body stable and streamlined to reduce drag. Swimming hard against the current wastes air and can leave you exhausted. Make small adjustments with your buoyancy control device (BCD). If you need to stop, never grab living coral; look for a rock or a patch of nonliving substrate to hold carefully.
Essential Drift Diving Equipment
Alongside your usual scuba equipment, two items are essential: a surface marker buoy (SMB) and a reel. Near the end of the dive, you will send the buoy to the surface so the boat can locate you. A whistle or signal mirror attached to your BCD can also be vital if you surface far from the boat. The safety organization Divers Alert Network (DAN) emphasizes the importance of signaling equipment.
Safety Rules to Remember
Stay close to your buddy and the group, and keep them in sight. A current can separate divers quickly. Ascend to your safety stop as a group and deploy your marker buoys together. Signal your dive leader if the current feels too strong or you are losing control. Strong currents can be dangerous, so know your limits. Large, powerful marine animals like those featured in our print gallery thrive in currents. These encounters can be spectacular, but the conditions demand respect. Find more advice on our blog.
Where to Go Drift Diving
Some of the world’s most memorable dive sites are known for their currents. Palau draws drift divers to sites such as Blue Corner and Ulong Channel. The Maldives, Cozumel in Mexico and Rangiroa in French Polynesia also offer remarkable experiences. If you have questions, get in touch.
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