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Your Guide to Drift Diving in 2019
There’s nothing like diving in strong currents and watching marine life as you fly by and go with the flow. Drift diving really is one of the most exciting types of diving out there and you can find out more in our guide to drift diving in 2019.
WHY GO DRIFT DIVING?
Drift diving can be relaxing or fast-paced and exciting, depending on the dive conditions. A steady current can carry you along without having to make any effort as you enjoy the scenery. On the other hand, a strong current can give you a true sense of flying underwater.
You can cover a large area when drift diving and strong currents often attract larger pelagics, making drift dives even more special.
TOP DRIFT DIVING DESTINATIONS
French Polynesia
Fakarava Atoll in Tuamotu Archipelago and its ocean passes are famous of very large schools of sharks.
The Tuamotu Archipelago is home to exciting drift dives and plenty of shark action at Rangiroa and Fakarava atolls.
The pristine Fakarava Atoll has drift diving at the Tumakohua Pass, where the waters reach speeds of up to 4 knots. A dive there will take you from the open ocean past a ‘wall of sharks’ at the channel mouth, where hundreds of grey, blacktip and whitetip sharks gather. You’ll be swept past coral-covered walls and numerous fish as you dive before ending up in the lagoon.
Rangiroa Atoll is another great place for drift diving, at the Tiputa Pass. This channel is washed by a strong current during the incoming tide, offering the chance to dive with huge schools of grey reef sharks, plus mantas, dolphins, and plenty of reef fish.
French Polynesia liveaboard diving is suitable for a variety of experience levels, though is best experienced as an advanced diver due to the deep dives. The French Polynesia Master offers diving throughout the Tuamotu Archipelago.
Elphinstone Reef, Southern Egypt
The walls of the Elphinstone reef plunge thousands of meters to the depths and are covered in colourful corals. Sitting in the open ocean, the reef is washed by strong currents that take you along the walls at speed, with little effort needed. This is a great destination for experienced divers looking for more adventurous Red Sea diving and the chance to search for oceanic whitetip sharks whilst enjoying thriving reefs.
The Emperor Elite offers a ‘Simply the Best’ itinerary that includes Elphinstone Reef, Daedalus and the Brothers.
A cloud of anthias (Anthias: Serranidae: Anthiinae) on the Brothers dive site, Red Sea, Egypt
Shark & Yolanda Reef, Northern Egypt
If you want to try drift diving without very strong currents, Northern Egypt could be the place for you. The Shark and Yolanda reefs in the Ras Mohammed national park offer colourful coral reef diving, plentiful fish and fun current diving between the two reefs. The currents are easier going than at Elphinstone but are still reasonably strong. It is one of the top dives in the Ras Mohammed national park and is often visited during liveaboard safaris in the area.
There are numerous liveaboards to choose from and the Blue Pearl is a good choice that has a variety of safari routes to choose from.
Diving the wall, Red Sea, Egypt
The Galapagos Islands
There is no shortage of currents at the Galapagos Islands, which attract numerous pelagic species to top areas such as Wolf and Darwin Islands. Dive in, go with the flow and you can enjoy schools of hammerheads, numerous sharks, rays and more that pass you by. It is a nature-lover’s paradise and offers challenging diving with rewarding marine life sightings.
Once you’ve had your fill of sharks, be sure to visit Cabo Douglas. You’re unlikely to see big pelagics there but you can watch playful Galapagos penguins, marine iguanas, sea lions and turtles as you drift along.
The Nortada liveaboard is ideal for more personalised Galapagos safaris, as there are only 4 cabins on board and a maximum of 12 guests.
WHAT DRIFT DIVING GEAR DO YOU NEED?
It’s a good idea to take gloves when drift diving in case you need to stop yourself during a drift dive. A surface marker buoy is a must and a whistle is useful in case you surface away from your dive boat. Be sure to streamline your dive gear to prevent entanglement and be mindful of the currents as you dive. Stay close to your dive guide, listen to their instructions and enjoy!
This article was written by divers and writers at LiveAboard.com
After a two-year tour of UK art galleries, community spaces and aquariums, the Shark Trust’s acclaimed Oceanic31 exhibition takes its final bow at the Royal Geographical Society later this month. And the unique collection of artwork, depicting 31 species of oceanic sharks and rays, donated by 31 artists, is now open for bids from art lovers and shark enthusiasts. The online auction, launched today, will close on the 7th December at 8pm (BST). The money raised will support the Shark Trust Oceanics Programme.
People can now bid on 27 of the artworks by visiting this website:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
It is a chance to own a beautiful piece of original art and to support the Shark Trust. The timing of the auction also means that these would make a very special Christmas gift for any shark-lover.
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- Bigeye Thresher Shark by Janina Rossiter
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- Carcharodon carcharias by Jimmy Higgs
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- Croc VR 2030 by Tom Mead
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- Oceanic Whitetip by ATM
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- Silky Street by ScapaJoe
The diversity of pieces mirrors that of the sharks and rays they represent. You can bid on paintings, digital creations, sculptures, mixed media and more. You can pick your favourite artist or species of shark. Or you can select the perfect artwork to make a statement in your home or office. Whichever you choose, you will be supporting the work to protect these amazing animals.
One of the pieces of art has been selected to be auctioned live by Steve Backshall at the For the Love of Sharks event at the Royal Geographical Society in London on the 29th November. In addition to this, two further pieces will be raffled at this event, giving people a chance to win an incredible piece of shark art. For the Love of Sharks is the Shark Trust’s flagship evening. A night to celebrate sharks. Steve Backshall is the headline speaker at this event that will see other prominent shark advocates join him on stage.
Tickets for the event can be snapped up here:
https://thesharktrust.org.uk/Event/flos24
Those that would like to see the Oceanic 31 exhibition have one final chance. It is being displayed at the Pavilion at the Royal Geographic Society from 26th November until the 7th December. Entry is free.
Find out more here:
https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/oceanic-31
Paul Cox, Shark Trust CEO, Said “This exhibition has given us the opportunity to reach out to a new audience. And inspire more people with the wonderful sharks and rays on which our Big Shark Pledge campaign is based. We are immensely grateful to the 31 artists who have worked so hard to create these works.”
Bid for your favourite Oceanic 31 artwork here:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
Banner Image: Smooth Hammerhead by Alicia Hayden
Cozy and warm in cold water.
It’s drysuit season all year round. With the new RS series premium drysuits from DYNAMICNORD, divers are perfectly equipped for all cold waters.
The sophisticated cut of the RS drysuits allows complete freedom of movement, providing maximum comfort. The high-quality 350 g/m² ripstop material with double ripstop zones on the elbows, knees, and crotch protect ensures extreme robustness as well as long life.
The suit’s features leave nothing to be desired: A high-quality TiZip zipper, easily adjustable inlet and outlet valves, upgradeable with electrically heated underwear, HP bottleneck cuffs made of high-strength latex on the wrists, a 3mm neoprene neck cuff for maximum comfort, a 7mm hood with air outlet and 3mm boots made of double-sided, cross-layered neoprene with ankle straps and fin strap stoppers and a protective but very flexible sole.
Noteworthy is the Molle fastening system, which can be used in a variable and compatible manner. This way, the two detachable leg pockets can be attached easily, safely and comfortably.
Alterations of boots to a different shoe size or adjustments to neck or wrist cuffs are done free of charge at the own DYNAMICNORD service centre in Germany in only a couple of days.
The matching Dynaskins made with high-quality Polartec® technology are available in various designs. As an undersuit under the drysuit, as a single suit in warm waters or as a two-piece suit. Polartec® technology’s main features are neutral buoyancy, breathablilty and quick-drying.
Dynaskins are made largely from recycled plastic bottles.
The drysuit RS-351 for men and RS-352 for women are now available at your DYNAMICNORD dealer and in the online store.
Colors men and women: Black-Blue and Black-Burgundy
Sizes men: XS-4XL incl. intermediate sizes MS, MT, MLS, MLT, LS, LT, XLS, XLT, 2XLS, 3XLS, 4XLS
Sizes Women: XS-XL incl. intermediate sizes MS, MT, LS, XLS
DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.
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