Tips & Ideas

Things You'll Need

Shore diving has a few basic logistical requirements beyond what you'll need for a typical boat dive. You are an explorer, on your own, seeking that one perfect shore dive you've heard so much about. Now, where is it? And what will you need when you get there? What will the conditions be like? For a relaxing trip, it is best you have those questions answered before you set off. So, take a moment to scan the following suggestions, because the better prepared you are, the better experience you'll have!

Get a good map

The instructions you'll find on these pages will accurately describe the exact location for each site's turnoff, parking, and dive entry. You will need, however, a good map to get you from your hotel to the general area of your dive site. A tourist map will not do an adequate job. Find a professional map that shows the highways, roads, dirt roads, trails and general topology of the area. Most of these maps have longitude and latitude lines, which you'll find helpful in the next section. Do keep your tourist maps handy, since Shore Diving implies a land adventure, as well!

Invest in a GPS

Along with the other electronic gadgets you keep in your dive bag, make an investment in a $100-$200 GPS (Global Positioning System) hand-held receiver. This device will remove all uncertainty in finding any dive site listed on these pages. The GPS receiver will display the latitude and longitude of your current position to a 20 foot (7 meter) accuracy, allowing you to compare your position to the positions listed on the site pages. Depending upon the options your GPS has, you'll be able to:

get distance/direction indication showing how far and where you'll need to travel
if the GPS has an electronic compass, you'll be able to follow the pointer to the destination
track your every step of travel, so you can accurately back-track , if needed
log your speed, distance traveled, altitude, estimated time of arrival, and a plethora of other mind-numbing information.

Once you experience the power associated with this amazing little device, you'll never leave home without it!

Obtain Advice from your Local Scuba Resources

If you take a moment to read our disclaimer, you'll see how serious we are that you don't enter the water until you are absolutely certain you will have a safe experience. The only way to ensure this requirement is to talk to the local experts. The dive shops and guides have made shore diving their profession; they know the sites and the seasonal conditions; and they will give you another experienced opinion as to the difficulties you'll encounter. Their advice is invaluable. Use them!

Print out the regional information

At the bottom of each region's page is a link to a list of important phone numbers and web pages. Carry this list with you to your dive site. Should you need emergency services, such as a hyperbaric decompression chamber, you will not lose valuable time searching for this information.

For an example, click here to see the information page for the Hawaiian Islands.

Don't forget anything!

Here's a list of items we have compiled over the years that you can use as a check list for packing:

Papers	Clothing	Toiletries	Dive Bag	Miscellaneous
Airline tickets; print boarding passes	Shorts	Personal items	First Aid Kit	Land Camera / Batteries Film; digital camera cable
Hotel and Rental Car Reservations	T-shirts	Sunscreen	Underwater Light / Batteries	palm pilot, batteries
Travel Itinerary / Vouchers	Swim Suits	Hair Dryer (if not provided)	Dive computer / Batteries	Tape/CD Player / Batteries
Passport (original for the safe, and a copy to carry with you)	Hat	Decongestant	B/C	Mini-Speakers
Travelers Checks	Sun Glasses	Sea Sick tablets	Regulator	Electrical Converters
Local Currency	Wind Breaker, sweatshirt	Lip Balm	Wet Suit	Notebook Computer; cable lock
Books and Magazines; island literature	Spare Pair of Glasses	Antibiotic Cream	Gloves	Cell Phone / Charger
Address Book	Beach Towel	Insect Repellant	Booties	GPS / Batteries
Pen and Tablet	Flip Flops	Medicines * vitamins	Fins	Battery Charger
Child/Pet/House sitter #'s	Tennis Shoes	Ear Plugs	Tool Kit	Binoculars
Dive Log	Back Pack	Ear Drops	Mask and Snorkel	Snack Food
Certification Card (PADI, NAUI, SSI, SSA, BSAC)		zip lock bags	Defogger	Bottled Water
Nitrox Card			U/W Camera / Batteries	Luggage Locks/Keys
Driver's License (with copy)			Strobe / Batteries	Luggage Name Tags
Small bills for tips			Dive Bag	Alarm Clock
House, luggage and car keys, and spare car keys too!			Dive Flag	board games
Reserve ride to and from Airport			Dive and Fish Books	check the weather forecasts on the web

Before you leave home:
Stop Paper and Mail deliveries
Set the thermostat; Turn down the water heater
Water the house plants
And, on your way out the door, Grab the Garbage!

* Please check with your doctor to ensure that the medicines you are currently taking are compatible with diving.