Delightful Departures: Top 3 Reasons to Enjoy Drift Diving

When a scuba traveler begins to spread his or her fins and start traveling to more destinations, they will soon find themselves in a destination that frequently experiences strong currents. With experience a diver can learn to use these currents to their advantage and actually enjoy the adventure. This style of diving is known as drift diving and world-travelling divers can seek out sites with such a dive experience in places like Cozumel, Fiji, Palau, the Philippines, Indonesia, and more.

So what do I think about drift diving? I LOVE IT! And here's why.

1. Go with the flow

There is absolutely no reason to fight it. Let the current do all the work, lay back, and enjoy the ride.

2. Your boat comes to you

Your dive boat drops you off at one end of the site. You enjoy your dive along the crazy current highway, just like any smart turtle from Finding Nemo's world would do. Then at the end of the dive, your divemaster pops up his signal marker, and the boat comes to you. No need to turn around and hope to find you way back to the boat.

3. It's just plain fun

Maybe the first time you experience drift diving your nerves might lead you to want to fight the current, but there is absolutely no need. Just check your buoyancy, relax, and sail along with the fishies as you enjoy the scenery passing by. Become a kid again, spread your wings and pretend you're an airplane. Sit in your yoga pose, or in your easy-chair and watch the show. Watch the wonders go by as you hang upside down if you so wish. Just have FUN with this awesome way to dive.

Now with all that said, please remember to be responsible and get training. As with any type of diving, there are always risks and it is best to know how to handle any situation that might come your way. With your drift diving certification class, you will learn things like negative entries. When and why you may need to do such an entry. Learn how and why to duck for cover when you need a break from the current. When and why you might need to go low and slow to escape to power of the current. And how to properly use your trusty signal marker buoy at the end of your dive.

Whatever the dive site conditions, here's to enjoying our oceans, the creatures who reside in them, and all the beauty and wonder to behold when diving.