should I bring down my dive flag float to do a couple of shore dives in front of blue angel or not bother and just make sure I stick close to the bottom? If I had to surface out from shore I can use my SMB , what do other shore divers do?
dive flag?
- Thread starter simcoediver
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I have just used an SMB.
pinshootr
Contributor
they don't use them most boats stay a certain distance from shore, and usually come in from the same turn points at the resorts.
gkrane
Contributor
There is a floating line of buoys that create a nice perimeter that the boats don't enter. It is shallow so you can clearly see this from the bottom in case you do need to go up. No need for anything other than an SMB, even then I would imagine you won't use it. It seemed like there was very little boat traffic that close in after the morning dive boats returned. I did about 12 or so shore dives there and had only one boat pass by. Stay near the bottom and you will be fine.
JFS
Contributor
Tell that to the boats that come within 10 feet of your floating inflateble tire sized buoy near shore... there can be lots of boat traffic in the area. Be careful, listen to boat noise and dont surface unexpectadly. If you are way out where the sailing boats are, you won't hear them and their keel is probably 10 feet below surface. Use an SMB.
gkrane
Contributor
All of the cool critters I found in front of BA were either next to the stingray pen or in the small coral heads or rubble piles closer in. It didn't look like too much was way out from the shore.
I agree that a SMB would be sufficient for a floating marker; the water is deep enough to be clear of boats overhead as long as you stay down near the bottom. Send up the SMB first if you cannot see the buoys or the stingray pen when you ascend.
I would recommend, though, that you also bring a compass so that you'll always know in which direction the shore lies (southeast). Once you get out of sight of the stingray pen and are toodling around the little coral heads, it's easy to lose your bearings, especially if the current is light and/or changing direction. If you are diving there at night I recommend it even more strongly.
I would recommend, though, that you also bring a compass so that you'll always know in which direction the shore lies (southeast). Once you get out of sight of the stingray pen and are toodling around the little coral heads, it's easy to lose your bearings, especially if the current is light and/or changing direction. If you are diving there at night I recommend it even more strongly.
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SMB is standard, and I'll second the compass for fickle fast current changes. I won't surface in the boat traffic since I don't suspect they are watching for divers. Just my impression.
Enjoy the dive planning. Some excellent dives to be had from shore.
Cameron
Enjoy the dive planning. Some excellent dives to be had from shore.
Cameron
gkrane
Contributor
As far as night diving from shore at BA, I found it important to walk out and start looking into the water by bending over to make sure you are in the little channel. The urchins come out and completely line the sides of it at night. Same process going in. Very easy.
OP
Excellent advice, certainly don't want to step on an urchin!
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