Lauderdale by the Sea is a beach dive in Southeast Florida, and is also considered Florida’s shore diving capital! Aside from making sure you check the weather, your biggest challenge will be… PARKING.
Here’s a Google Maps links to one of the most popular beach access spots: goo.gl/maps/7L...
If that lot’s full or you need to park cars for a large group, it’s a short walk and much easier to find parking here: goo.gl/maps/zV...
We also suggest downloading and setting up the ParkMobile Parking App in advance: apps.apple.com...
Beach access parking lots have rinse showers, but they go fast. It’s busiest on weekends, holidays, AND on incoming tide near high tide, which is the ideal time to dive here.
Worst case, you may need to drop your gear near the beach (enlist a spotter), and find a public parking lot and walk your beautiful self back to dive site.
Gear up and walk across the beach to the water, then mask & fin up once the weight is off your body (usually waist deep water if it's calm). Most people start on the south side of the pier and end their dive south of it, since the current usually runs North (check this first as things can always change). The pier is also a great landmark for keeping your bearings. Don't forget your dive flag- it is required. N diving allowed under the pier.
Swimming out, you'll find three reef lines that run parallel to shore, the first one being around 100 yards out, the second closer to 200 yards, and the last one nearly 300 yards out. They are approximately 15, 20, and 25 feet deep respectively, plus or minus with tide.
The last third of the pier sticks out into the first reef line, to give you a reference point.
The reefs and the inhabitants will not disappoint! Excellent for first time shore divers, classes, and anyone wanting a nice, inexpensive way to dive a real live coral reef.
Remember to check winds and tides - you want calm winds (calm waves), and preferably a dive on incoming tide near or even during slack tide. It’s best to avoid outgoing tide for clarity and ease of exit, although this isn't a “hard rule”, like it is at places such as Blue Heron Bridge.
You can check Lauderdale by the Sea tides and weather here: www.usharbors....
Finally, there’s a wide selection of things to do near the pier, so save some time after for Bahama Bread (our goto) at g.page/arubabe...
Produced by sweetwaterscub...
Voiced by Jonny Green
Special thanks to divers Katie Reich, Lina, Nikos, Venetia ...
Michael Chapman with Sea King Scuba diveseakingscu...
Video and script by Kenny Dyal
28 сен 2024
